WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
ig•nite /ɪgˈnaɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -nit•ed, -nit•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to (cause to) catch fire;
(cause to) begin to burn: [no object]Gasoline will ignite when the spark is fired.[~ + object]They ignited the bonfire.
ig•nite
(ig nīt′),USA pronunciation v., -nit•ed, -nit•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
ig•nit′a•ble, ig•nit′i•ble, adj.
ig•nit′a•bil′i•ty, ig•nit′i•bil′i•ty, n.
v.t.
- to set on fire;
kindle. - Chemistryto heat intensely;
roast.
v.i.
- to take fire;
begin to burn.
- Latin ignītus (past participle of ignīre to set on fire, ignite), equivalent. to ign(is) fire + -ītus -ite2
- 1660–70
ig•nit′a•bil′i•ty, ig•nit′i•bil′i•ty, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See kindle.