ignite

3 definitions • 4 examples

to (cause to) start burning or explode:

The fuel spontaneously ignites because of the high temperature and pressure.

to cause a dangerous, excited, or angry situation to begin:

The proposed restrictions have ignited a storm of protest.

to start burning, or to cause something to start burning:

[ T ] The forest fire began when a spark from a campfire ignited some dry grass nearby.

[ T ] fig. to ignite a controversy