Fuel

/ˈfjuːəl/ noun

Definition

Fuel is any material, such as gas, coal, or wood, that is burned or used to produce energy. It powers engines, heats homes, and runs many machines.

Etymology

“Fuel” comes from Old French “fouaille” or “fuele,” meaning “firewood,” from a root meaning “to burn” or “to heat.” It originally referred mainly to wood for fires before expanding to all energy sources.

Kelly Says

Your body treats food as fuel in almost the same way a car treats gasoline: both turn chemical energy into movement. When people talk about “fueling your brain,” they’re being more literal than it sounds.

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