fuel cell

noun

: a device that continuously changes the chemical energy of a fuel (such as hydrogen) and an oxidant directly into electrical energy

Examples of fuel cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Haynes explained that the instrument could also extend the lifespan of catalysts for fuel cells, chemical manufacturing and fertilizer production. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026 Bloom, which makes fuel cells that can convert everything from fossil fuels to hydrogen into electricity, also raised its full-year revenue outlook. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Hydrogen produced along the way could generate electricity in a fuel cell or be sold, potentially offsetting some of that demand. — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 As far as tech goes, the 377-footer has a trio of 900 kW variable-speed permanent-magnet generators running on HVO with fuel cells and a 5 MWh battery pack. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fuel cell

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fuel cell was in 1922

Rhymes for fuel cell

See All Rhymes for fuel cell

Browse Nearby Words

fuel-air bomb
fuel cell
fuel dope
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fuel cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuel%20cell. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

fuel cell

noun
: a device that continuously changes the chemical energy of a fuel (as hydrogen) into electrical energy

More from Merriam-Webster on fuel cell

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fuel cell

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All