afterburner

/'ɑ:ftə,bə:nə/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
afterburner

The fighter jet's afterburner glows brightly as it accelerates.

Definition

Noun: 1. A device that injects additional fuel into the hot exhaust gases of a jet engine to produce extra thrust: An afterburner is a component in some jet engines, particularly those used in military fighter aircraft, that provides a significant, temporary increase in power by burning fuel in the exhaust stream.

Usage

The term "afterburner" is used almost exclusively in the context of aviation and aerospace engineering. It describes a specific mechanical system. - It is a countable noun (e.g., an afterburner, the afterburners). - It is typically used with verbs like engage, activate, use, light, or fire.

Examples
  • Noun:
    • The pilot engaged the afterburner to rapidly climb and intercept the enemy aircraft.
    • Modern fighter jets can use their afterburners for short bursts of supersonic speed.
    • The roar of the afterburner is unmistakable during an airshow.
Advanced Usage
  • "To go into afterburner" or "to hit the afterburners": Informal phrases meaning to activate the afterburner(s), often implying a sudden, powerful acceleration or a surge of effort.
    • When the missile warning sounded, the pilot immediately hit the afterburners.
    • (Figurative) We need to go into afterburner to finish this project on time.
Variants and Related Words
  • Afterburning (noun/gerund): The process or operation of an afterburner.
    • The phase of flight involving afterburning consumes fuel very rapidly.
Synonyms
  • Reheat (chiefly British English): A technical synonym for the afterburner system.
  • Thrust augmenter: A more general engineering term.
Related Idioms/Phrases
  • "To kick in the afterburners": Similar to "hit the afterburners," meaning to accelerate suddenly or increase effort dramatically.
    • In the final lap, the runner kicked in the afterburners and won the race.
afterburner

The fighter jet's afterburner glows brightly as it accelerates.

Noun
  1. a device injects fuel into a hot exhaust for extra thrust