French word

combustion

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃bystjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounburning

Example

La combustion consomme de l'oxygène.

Burning consumes oxygen.

Illustration for combustion (burning)

More examples

Après l'incendie, on sentait encore une odeur de combustion.

After the fire, there was still a smell of combustion.

Core concept

A fuel and oxygen reaction seen as an energy-releasing process rather than as the flame itself.

Common phrases

  • odeur de combustion

    smell of combustion

  • fumée de combustion

    combustion smoke

Similar words

feu: A state in which something is burning and giving off heat and light.
fumée: White or black smoke drifting through the air during burning or heating.
flamme: The narrow, bright, flickering part of a fire that is visible while something burns.
incendie: A large fire spreading through a building, forest, or other area and causing major damage.

Definition in French

Processus chimique au cours duquel une substance réagit avec l'oxygène en libérant de la chaleur et souvent une flamme.

Word origin

The word entered French through Latin combustio and is related to comburere, whose past participle is combustus.

Usage tips

  • French often uses brûler in ordinary speech for burning, while combustion names the process in scientific or technical contexts.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word