afterburner

noun

af·​ter·​burn·​er ˈaf-tər-ˌbər-nər 

1

: a device incorporated into the tailpipe of a turbojet engine for injecting fuel into the hot exhaust gases and burning it to provide extra thrust

2

: a device for burning or catalytically destroying unburned or partially burned carbon compounds in exhaust (as from an automobile)

Examples of afterburner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My hand was slowly working its way back, unbeknownst to me, and deployed the parachute right into the afterburner flame. —Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Powered by a General Electric engine producing up to 28,600 pounds of thrust with afterburner, the jet can approach Mach 2 speeds and fly long-range profiles typical of operational fighters. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025

The sensation behind the wheel is a head-spinning blast of boost akin to igniting a jet afterburner. —Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025

McDavid struck again with 6:21 remaining, turning on the afterburners to skate wide of Marchenko off the rush to make it 4-3. —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

afterburning "burning of combustible gases after they have left the engine" (from after- + burning, gerund of burn entry 1) + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for afterburner

• burner
• earner
• learner
• sterner

Kids Definition

afterburner

noun

af·​ter·​burn·​er -ˌbər-nər 

: a burner attached to the tail pipe of a turbojet engine for forcing fuel into the hot exhaust gases and burning it to provide extra forward push