Meaning & use
ignition
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
The part of an engine that creates the spark or heat needed to start the fuel burning.
Grammar: Can be used with a/an or without an article: turn on the ignition / check the ignition system.
Patterns
- turn on the ignition
- turn off the ignition
- the ignition system
- the ignition switch
She turned on the ignition and the engine started immediately.
The mechanic checked the ignition and found a loose wire.
If the ignition fails, the car won't start at all.
noununcountabletechnical
The act or process of something beginning to burn or of setting something on fire.
Grammar: Used without an article when talking about the general process: Ignition occurs at high temperatures.
Patterns
- ignition of something
- spontaneous ignition
- the ignition point
- ignition temperature
The ignition of the gas happened when the flame touched it.
Scientists study the ignition of different materials to prevent fires.
The ignition point of paper is much lower than that of metal.
Word forms
| plural | ignitions |
|---|
Common combinations
- turn on the ignition
- He turned on the ignition and waited for the engine to warm up.
- ignition switch
- The ignition switch is on the right side of the steering wheel.
- ignition system
- A faulty ignition system can cause the car to stall.
- spontaneous ignition
- Spontaneous ignition can happen in piles of oily rags.
- ignition temperature
- The ignition temperature of wood is around 300°C.
Synonyms and how they differ
- starter
- The starter is the device that turns the engine over, while ignition is the system that creates the spark to fire the fuel.
- combustion
- Combustion is the general chemical process of burning; ignition is the moment or system that starts it.
Word family
- ignite verb
- To start burning or to make something start burning.
- ignitable adjective
- Capable of being set on fire.
Commonly confused: ignition or ignition?
ignition vs ignition
Not to be confused with 'ignition' as a car part only; it also refers to the general act of catching fire.
Practice
The car wouldn't start because the ______ was broken.
Choose one answer.
'Ignition' is the noun for the engine part that creates the spark. 'Ignite' is a verb, 'ignitable' is an adjective, and 'igniting' is a present participle, so none fit the noun slot after 'the'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ignition”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.