# oxygen burning

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/oxygen-burning
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The nucleosynthesis process, subsequent to carbon burning, in which neon disintegrates to oxygen which subsequently fuses to form silicon, phosphorus sulfur and other elements of atomic number up to 40.

## Examples

- Massive stars undergo oxygen burning late in their life cycles.
- After the star exhausts its carbon supply, the core temperature rises enough to trigger oxygen burning.
- The complex nucleosynthesis occurring within the stellar core during oxygen burning creates heavier elements like silicon and sulfur before the final collapse.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.