defuse

Word parts

de- + fuse

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /diːˈfjuːz/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: de‧fuse
• Homophone: diffuse

Verb

Plain form defuse

Third-person singular defuses

Past tense defused

Past participle defused

Present participle defusing

1. (transitive) If you defuse a bomb, you remove the fuse from an explosive to prevent it from exploding.