# fuse

/ˈfjuz/ (US) · /fjˈuːz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fuse
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. electrical safety

noun · CEFR B2

a small safety part in an electrical device that breaks the circuit if the power is too high.

For teachers: a safety device consisting of a strip of wire that melts and breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level.

- The lights went out because a fuse blew in the kitchen.
- The technician replaced the blown fuse after identifying a short circuit in the industrial cooling unit.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'to blow a fuse'.

### 2. explosive ignition

noun · CEFR B2

a string or wire that carries fire to an explosive, like a bomb or firework.

For teachers: a cord, tube, or mechanical device used to convey fire or a detonating spark to an explosive charge.

- He lit the fuse and ran to a safe distance before the fireworks started.
- The demolition team carefully inspected the fuse to ensure the controlled explosion would occur exactly on schedule.

### 3. temper

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

your ability to stay calm without getting angry.

For teachers: a person's tendency to lose their temper, typically used in the idiom 'short fuse'.

- Be careful what you say to him; he has a very short fuse.
- The manager was known for his short fuse, often reacting with disproportionate anger to minor administrative errors.

### 4. to join together

verb · CEFR B2

to join two or more things together so they become one, often using heat.

For teachers: to join or blend different things into a single entity, often through melting or intense heat.

- The two companies decided to fuse their technology departments into one team.
- The artist used extreme heat to fuse glass and metal into a single, striking sculpture.

### 5. nuclear fusion

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

when atoms join together to create a lot of energy.

For teachers: to undergo or cause to undergo nuclear fusion, where atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.

- Inside the sun, hydrogen atoms fuse together to create helium and light.
- Scientists are still working on a way to make atoms fuse in a controlled environment to produce clean energy.

## Examples

- The lights went out because a fuse blew in the kitchen.
- The electrician replaced the blown fuse to restore power to the entire upstairs floor safely.
- Before the demolition team could proceed with the controlled explosion, they had to ensure the fuse was long enough to allow everyone to reach a safe distance.

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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.