refuel

verb

re·​fu·​el (ˌ)rē-ˈfyü(-ə)l How to pronounce refuel (audio)
refueled; refueling; refuels

transitive verb

: to provide with additional fuel

intransitive verb

: to take on additional fuel

Examples of refuel in a Sentence

The crew refueled the airplane. The airplane landed to refuel.
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.
In its heyday, towns sprang up all along the road–places where travelers could stop to eat, refuel their cars, and stay the night. — Rebecca Treon, Parents, 18 June 2026 The traffic has also contributed to fuel shortages in the area, with some people waiting in line for hours to refuel. — Philip Wang, Time, 29 June 2026 The on-site cafe is also surprisingly fabulous for a lunch to refuel your explorations. — Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026 Katalyst envisions having a fleet of spacecraft that can repair, refuel and upgrade satellites in need of help. — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for refuel

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of refuel was in 1811

Rhymes for refuel

See All Rhymes for refuel

Browse Nearby Words

reft
refuel
refuge
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refuel. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

refuel

verb
re·​fu·​el (ˈ)rē-ˈfyü-əl How to pronounce refuel (audio)
: to provide with or take on more fuel

More from Merriam-Webster on refuel

Nglish: Translation of refuel for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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