WordGarden.iofuse
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /fjˈuːz/
US
- /ˈfjuz/
Meanings
Noun
a safety device that melts to break an overloaded electrical circuit
a cord or device used to set off an explosive
a person's temper or capacity to stay calm before anger
Verb
to join or blend into a single whole
Beyond the definition
To fuse can mean several related things. At its heart, it often means joining things into one, especially by heat. You can picture a worker fusing metal to make something new. It can also mean blending things smoothly, like flavors in a dish or two music styles coming together to make a new sound.
You will also often hear "fuse" in electricity. An electrical fuse is a safety part that protects a circuit from too much current. If the current gets too high, it melts and stops the flow, which helps prevent damage or fire. A fuse can also be the cord or part that starts a firework or explosive. So the exact meaning depends on the situation.
The word "fuse" has several meanings, but many of them grow from the idea of joining things into one. In a physical sense, it can mean using heat to melt and join materials, especially metal. Welders, for example, fuse pieces together to make a single solid part. This basic idea also appears in less literal uses. Two musical styles can fuse into a new sound, and flavors can fuse in a dish as they mix together over time.
The word is also common in electricity. An electrical fuse is a small safety device placed in a circuit. If too much current flows through it, part of it melts, breaking the circuit and stopping the flow of electricity. This protects wires, machines, and buildings from damage or fire.
There is also the explosive sense. A fuse can be the cord, strip, or mechanism that carries a flame to a firework or explosive and starts it. In everyday language, this sense also appears in phrases about anger, such as someone having a "short fuse," meaning they get angry quickly.
Finally, "fuse" can be used figuratively for ideas, styles, or influences that come together as one: "Their different ideas fused into a clear plan." Whether it is about joining materials, protecting a circuit, starting a flame, or blending styles, the word "fuse" usually suggests connection, combination, or a chain of energy that leads to change.
Examples
- 1
Electrical part
I replaced the fuse, and the lamp started working again.
- 2
Electrical failure
We blew a fuse when we turned on the heater and the kettle at the same time.
- Phraseblow a fuse
make the electricity stop because the fuse breaks
- 3
Heat joining
The broken edges fused together in the heat.
- Patternfuse together
join and become one
- 4
Materials
The artist fused copper with glass to make the vase.
- Patternfuse A with B
combine two different things into one
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Music
The band fuses African rhythms with electronic music.
- 6
Temper
Be careful around him after work; he has a short fuse.
- Phrasea short fuse
a tendency to get angry quickly
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- fusenounverb
Forms
- fusedpast tenseverbnoun
- fusespluralnounverb
- fusing-ing formverbnoun