Definition of Burning

Noun: burning bur-ning

A process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light
- combustion
The act of burning something
"the burning of leaves was prohibited by a town ordinance";
- combustion
Pain that feels hot as if it were on fire
- burn
Execution by electricity
- electrocution
Execution by fire
- burning at the stake
A form of torture in which cigarettes, cigars or other hot implements are used to burn the victim's skin

Adjective: burning bur-ning

Of immediate import
"burning issues of the day"
Lighted up by or as by fire or flame
"forests set burning by lightning";
- ablaze, afire, aflame, aflare, alight, on fire, in flames
With strong feeling or passion
"a burning desire for revenge"

Verb: burn (burned, also burnt) burn

Destroy by fire
"They burned the house and his diaries";
- fire, burn down
Shine intensely, as if with heat
"The candles were burning";
- glow
Undergo combustion
"Maple wood burns well";
- combust
Cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
"The sun burned his face";
- bite, sting
Cause to burn or combust
"The sun burned off the fog";
- combust
Feel strong emotion, especially anger or passion
"She was burning with anger"; "He was burning to try out his new skis"
Cause to undergo combustion
"The car burns only Diesel oil"; "burn garbage";
- incinerate
Burn at the stake
"Witches were burned in Salem"
Spend (significant amounts of money)
"He has money to burn"
Feel hot or painful
"My eyes are burning"
Burn, sear, or freeze (tissue) using a hot iron or electric current or a caustic agent
"The surgeon burned the wart";
- cauterize, cauterise [Brit]
Get a sunburn by overexposure to the sun
- sunburn
Create by duplicating data
"burn a CD";
- cut
Use up (energy)
"burn off calories through vigorous exercise"; "burn up calories through vigorous exercise";
- burn off, burn up
Burn with heat, fire, or radiation