verb

ignite

to ignite, to light, to set fire to

A spark can ignite dry grass.

A spark can ignite dry grass.

The fuel ignited immediately.

The fuel ignited immediately.

His speech ignited a heated debate.

His speech ignited a heated debate.

((sth.)) to set (sth.) on fire. A spark can ignite dry grass.

(intransitive) to catch fire. The fuel ignited immediately.

((sth.)) to cause (sth.) to start. His speech ignited a heated debate.

Synonyms: light, set fire to, kindle; Antonyms: extinguish, put out

From Latin 'ignis' meaning 'fire'. It refers to the act of setting something on fire.

Think of the 'ignition' in a car, which is the system that 'ignites' the fuel to start the engine.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.