plural burners
1
: one that burns: such as
a
: the part of a fuel-burning or heat-producing device (such as a furnace or stove) where the flame or heat is produced
b
: a device for recording data on an optical disk
2
: an athlete who possesses great speed
3
: burner phone
… I leaned over and checked the glove box. There were two cell phones in there, both pre-paid burners with a set number of pre-paid minutes, both still in their drugstore packaging, effectively untraceable if bought with cash …Lee Child
4
medical : stinger sense 4
He missed two games late in the season because of what athletic trainers call "cervical burners," a fairly appropriate description of the pain that would originate in Wadsworth's neck and shoot down his body.Emily Dorman
see also:

Examples of burner in a Sentence

The burner on the furnace isn't working. The computer comes equipped with a CD burner.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Outside, a koi pond doubles as the view from the master bedroom’s own terrace, while a second reception room with a wood burner and a drop-down projector screen is built for post-dinner films. Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2026 Separately, Shaman likened El Niño to a large burner on a stovetop, heating the atmosphere across a vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean and leading to more global heat extremes, particularly for next summer if current forecasts pan out. Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 There are seven temperature knobs spread across the front of the grill, one for each main burner and one for the rear burner. John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 The excavation, carried out by an Egyptian archaeological mission under the supervision of the SCA, also uncovered pottery coffins, as well as a collection of incense burners, oil lamps, and funerary amulets. Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for burner

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of burner was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burner. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

: one that burns: as
a
: the part of a fuel-burning or heat-producing device (as a furnace or stove) where a flame or heat is produced
b
: a device for recording data on an optical disk

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on burner

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