Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device that produces a controlled flame or heat source: A "burner" is an apparatus designed to burn fuel, such as gas or oil, to produce heat or a flame. This is its most general meaning.
   • A heating element on a stove: Specifically, a "burner" is one of the flat, round heating elements on the top of a stove or cooktop where pots and pans are placed for cooking.

Usage

• General Device: Use "burner" to refer to any device where combustion occurs, such as in a furnace, heater, or lamp.
• Kitchen Appliance: Use "burner" specifically to talk about the individual cooking surfaces on a gas, electric, or induction stove.

Examples

• General Device:
  • The laboratory technician adjusted the burner on the Bunsen burner.
  • The old furnace has a faulty gas burner that needs replacement.
• Kitchen Appliance:
  • Please turn off the front burner; the water is boiling.
  • This induction cooktop has four powerful burners.

Advanced Usage

• "on the back burner": An idiom meaning something is postponed or given low priority.
  • We've put the expansion project on the back burner until next quarter.
• "front burner": The opposite idiom, meaning something is a current priority.
  • Customer satisfaction is always on the front burner for our company.

Variants and Related Words

• Burn (verb): To be on fire; to consume fuel.
• Bunsen burner (noun): A small adjustable gas burner used in laboratories.
• Oil burner (noun): A device that burns oil for heat; also slang for a diesel engine.
• Incense burner (noun): A container for burning incense.

Synonyms

• Heating element: (Specifically for electric stoves)
• Jet: (For a gas outlet that produces a flame)
• Ring: (Informal, especially for electric stove tops)

Phrasal Verbs

(Not commonly applicable for the noun "burner")

Related Idioms

• On the back burner: Postponed, not currently active.
• On the front burner: Receiving active attention, a high priority.

Noun

1. the heating elements of a stove or range on which pots and pans are placed for cooking
   • the electric range had one large burner and three smaller one
2. an apparatus for burning fuel (or refuse)
   • a diesel engine is an oil burner