Definition of: carburetor

(kär′bə·rā′tər, -byə·ret′ər) noun
1. An apparatus used to charge air or gas with volatilized hydrocarbons to give it illuminating power: also called carbonizer.
2. A device for carrying a current of air through or over a liquid fuel, so that the air may take up the vapor to form the explosive mixture, as in internal-combustion engines.
3. A hydrocarbon so used. Also car·bu·ret·tor (kär′byə·ret′·ər), car′bu·ret′ter.