fuel

fu|el1 [ `fjuəl ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount a substance such as oil, gas, coal, or wood that produces heat or power when it is burned. Coal and wood are sometimes called solid fuel:

Drivers are being encouraged to save fuel.

a shortage of food and fuel

a ) uncount gas or DIESEL used in vehicles:

The stolen car was abandoned when it ran out of fuel.

a car that runs on unleaded fuel

b ) only before noun used as fuel or relating to fuel:

fuel oil

fuel consumption

fuel tank/pump/gauge

2. ) uncount fuel to/for MAINLY JOURNALISM something that someone can use to support their argument:

The report's conclusions give fuel to the criticism that the administration has abandoned the principles of the party.

add fuel to something (=make people argue more): Reports from Manila only added fuel to the controversy.

fuel

fu|el 2 [ `fjuəl ] (past participle fu|eling or fu|el|ing; past tense and past participle fu|eled or fu|elled) verb

1. ) transitive MAINLY JOURNALISM to make something increase or become worse, especially something unpleasant:

Graf's back problem fueled speculation that she might soon retire.

People's fear of crime is fueled by sensationalist reports.

2. ) fuel or fuel up intransitive or transitive to put gas into your vehicle