# ignite

/ˌɪɡˈnaɪt/ (US) · /ɪɡnˈaɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ignite
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to set on fire

verb · CEFR B2

to make something start burning.

For teachers: to set fire to something or to cause a substance to begin the process of combustion. Transitive in this use.

- The spark from the campfire was enough to ignite the dry grass.
- The fuel-air mixture must be compressed significantly before the spark plug can effectively ignite it within the cylinder.

### 2. to start burning

verb · CEFR B2

to catch fire and begin to burn.

For teachers: to catch fire or begin to undergo combustion. Intransitive in this use.

- Gasoline can ignite easily if it is near a hot engine.
- Materials stored in the warehouse were so unstable that they could ignite spontaneously if the temperature rose above thirty degrees.

### 4. to heat strongly

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to heat a substance to a very high temperature without burning it.

For teachers: to subject a substance to intense heat, typically in a laboratory setting to remove volatile parts. Used for non-flammable materials.

- The chemist had to ignite the sample in a crucible to find its dry weight.
- After the precipitate was filtered, it was necessary to ignite the residue at 800 degrees Celsius to ensure all organic matter was removed.

## Examples

- The spark from the campfire helped ignite the dry leaves.
- The chemist used a small electric charge to ignite the gas mixture inside the sealed chamber.
- The senator's controversial speech served to ignite a nationwide debate regarding environmental policy, leading to widespread protests and calls for immediate legislative reform.

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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.