transitive verb burned or burnt, burning burn′·ing

1. to set on fire or subject to combustion, as in order to produce heat, light, or power
2. to destroy by fire
3. to put to death by fire
4. to injure or damage by fire or something with the effect of fire, as intense heat, friction, or acid; scorch, singe, scald, etc.
5. to consume as fuel to burn much gasoline
6. to transform (body fat, etc.) into energy by metabolism
7. to sunburn
8. to brand
9. to cauterize
10. to harden or glaze (bricks, pottery, etc.) by fire; fire
11. to cause by fire, heat, etc. to burn a hole in a coat
12. to cause a sensation of heat in the horseradish burns the throat
13. to use (candles, lights, heaters, etc.)
14. Comput., Informal to copy (data, a digital sound file, etc.) onto (a compact disc) by means of a laser
15. ☆ Slang to electrocute
16. Slang
    1. to cheat, swindle, or rob
    2. to cause to suffer through misplaced trust or confidence: usually used in the passive

Etymology: ME brennen, bernen, burnen < ON & OE: ON brenna, to burn, light; OE bærnan, to kindle (akin to Goth brannjan, to cause to burn) & beornan, to be on fire, metathetic < Gmc *brinnan < IE *bhre-n-u- < base *bhereu-, to boil forth, well up > bourn, bread, L fervere, Welsh brydis, to boil

intransitive verb

1. to be on fire; flame; blaze
2. to undergo combustion
3. to give out light or heat; shine; glow
4. to be destroyed by fire or heat
5. to be injured or damaged by or as by fire or heat; become scorched, singed, etc.
6. to die by fire
7. to feel hot
8. to be excited or inflamed, as with desire, anger, etc.
9. ☆ Slang to be electrocuted

noun

1. an injury or damage caused by fire, heat, radiation, wind, caustics, etc.: in medicine, burns are classified as first-degree burn, reddening, second-degree burn, blistering, and third-degree burn, destruction of the skin and the tissues under it
2. the process or result of burning, as in brick making
3. ☆ a single firing of a rocket or thruster on a space vehicle

noun

Etymology: ME burne, bourn