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engine

engine

1.0
A machine that uses fuel to make power for cars or machines
  • noun
  • /ˈɛn.dʒɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : motor
  • Under the hood, you can see the engine from the Fisker Karma.
  • internal combustion engine
  • combustion engine
  • diesel engine

So didn't it get the engine going just at a huge cost?

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Examples

  • There are two types of diesel engines used to power large ships: main propulsion and auxiliary.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Biodiesel fuel blends deliver benefits in reduced engine emissions of particulate matter.

    Academic text (2012)
  • So here you can see the engine that I have built so far.

  • You had to start the engine fuel rich.

  • So here is the engine that Carnot built.

  • The invention of the steam engine changed the way we traveled and moved goods and services.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Oil is spitting out of the first engine on the left side of the plane.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • You're able to use the engine more efficiently to go faster.

  • The rotating wings of a helicopter are directly driven by the engine, enabling it to hover.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The mechanic examined the engine to identify the source of the noise.

Synonyms

motor
vsengine
256 2.7

A machine that uses electricity or fuel to make things move

is the broader machine category that specifically converts fuel into work
turbine
vsengine
  • Specialized
91 3.9

A machine that uses moving water, steam, or air to turn blades and make power

is the wider machine type that also covers many rotary power designs
ICE
vsengine
  • Specialized
90 6.5

A car engine that burns fuel to make the car move

is the full general machine concept encompassing this technical abbreviation
diesel
vsengine
  • Specialized
33 3.4

An engine that squeezes and heats air so fuel burns without a spark

is the overall machine class that contains this ignition method
jet engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
14 3.7

An engine that pushes a plane by shooting out fast hot air

is the broader machine term, not limited to propulsion uses
internal-combustion engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
11 4.5

A machine that burns fuel inside to make power to move a car or plane

is the general machine type that includes such internal combustion forms
steam engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
10 3.5

A machine that uses steam from hot water to move parts like pistons or wheels

is the wider machine category that includes both steam and other systems
diesel engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
6 2.8

An engine that burns diesel fuel to make power

is the broader term covering engines that use various fuel types
rocket engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
5 3.6

A machine that makes a push by throwing out its own fuel very fast for spaceships or missiles

is the broader machine concept that includes many terrestrial and space designs
gasoline engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
4 3.2

A machine that burns gasoline to make power for vehicles and machines

is the general machine term not limited to a single fuel type
gas turbine
vsengine
  • Specialized
3 4.4

An engine that burns fuel to make hot gas that spins a wheel with blades

is the general machine category that includes this turbine process
gas engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
2 3.3

A machine that burns natural gas to make power for vehicles or generators

is the broader machine term that also includes other fuel forms
heat engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
1 5.0

A machine that uses heat to make movement or power

is the broader machine class that many specific engines fall under
aircraft engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A machine that gives power to a plane so it can fly

is the general machine concept that also applies to non-aircraft uses
petrol engine
vsengine
  • UK
1 3.2

A machine that burns petrol to make power for cars

is the more general category that covers petrol and other fuel types
turboshaft
vsengine
  • Specialized
1 7.9

An engine that uses hot gas to turn a shaft and give power, often used in helicopters

is the general machine category that can include shaft-driven types
turbofan engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A jet motor with a large front fan that pushes extra air to make the plane move forward

is the more general machine class that covers multiple jet designs
turbojet engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
1 5.7

A machine that burns fuel and pushes an aircraft forward by sending out fast hot air

is the overall category that includes this specific thrust-producing process
automobile engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
1 2.7

A machine that makes a car move by using fuel or electricity

is the overall machine category not restricted to automobile use
reaction engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
6.0

A machine like a jet or rocket that pushes a vehicle by throwing fast gas out the back

is the general machine category that also spans non-propulsive types
external-combustion engine
vsengine
  • Specialized
7.7

A machine like a steam engine that burns fuel outside its cylinder to use the heat to make motion

is the general machine term covering both internal and external combustion types

Idioms

To use much more effort or help than needed to do a small task

Compounds

search engine
  • Specialized
93 2.9

A computer program that finds web pages and information on the internet

39 4.1

The room on a ship, train, or in a building where the engine and other machines are kept and run

jet engine
  • Specialized
14 3.7

An engine that pushes a plane by shooting out fast hot air

12 1.6

A large vehicle that carries firefighters and tools to fight fires

11 4.5

A machine that burns fuel inside to make power to move a car or plane

steam engine
  • Specialized
10 3.5

A machine that uses steam from hot water to move parts like pistons or wheels

A situation in which an engine stops working or does not work properly

diesel engine
  • Specialized
6 2.8

An engine that burns diesel fuel to make power

rocket engine
  • Specialized
5 3.6

A machine that makes a push by throwing out its own fuel very fast for spaceships or missiles

engine block
  • Specialized
5 4.0

A metal part of an engine that holds the cylinders and channels for cooling

gasoline engine
  • Specialized
4 3.2

A machine that burns gasoline to make power for vehicles and machines

ion engine
  • Specialized
3 6.6

An engine for spacecraft that pushes them by firing tiny charged particles very fast using electricity

gas engine
  • Specialized
2 3.3

A machine that burns natural gas to make power for vehicles or generators

aircraft engine
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A machine that gives power to a plane so it can fly

heat engine
  • Specialized
1 5.0

A machine that uses heat to make movement or power

1 3.2

A machine that burns petrol to make power for cars

tank engine
  • Archaic
1 5.0

A steam train that carries its own fuel and water without another car behind it

1 3.3

A person who controls a train's engine

automobile engine
  • Specialized
1 2.7

A machine that makes a car move by using fuel or electricity

auxiliary engine
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A small motor on a ship that gives extra power or runs equipment like an anchor winch

four-stroke engine
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A machine that makes power using four piston movements in one cycle

ramjet engine
  • Specialized
1 8.1

An engine with no moving parts that needs very high speed to work

reciprocating engine
  • Specialized
1 6.7

An engine in which pistons move up and down in cylinders to turn a shaft

rotary engine
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A machine that makes power by turning parts around a central point, used in cars or planes

turbojet engine
  • Specialized
1 5.7

A machine that burns fuel and pushes an aircraft forward by sending out fast hot air

turbofan engine
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A jet motor with a large front fan that pushes extra air to make the plane move forward

9.6

An engine that often stops working and leaves you stranded

A diesel engine that injects fuel directly into the chamber where it burns

donkey engine
  • Archaic
7.9

A small vehicle that moves rail cars around in a rail yard

donkey engine
  • Archaic
8.6

A small machine on a ship that helps lift the anchor or heavy cargo

engine cooling system
  • Specialized
3.7

The system that removes heat from a car engine to stop overheating

epitrochoidal engine
  • Specialized
9.9

An engine with a three-sided part that turns in a curved path instead of pistons

7.7

A machine like a steam engine that burns fuel outside its cylinder to use the heat to make motion

fanjet engine
  • Specialized
6.8

A jet engine with a large front fan that pushes extra air to make more power and save fuel

A machine that burns fuel inside and makes power in four piston strokes

A machine on train tracks that pulls or pushes trains

graphic engine
  • Specialized
4.5

A program that creates and shows images on a computer screen

hydrokinetic engine
  • Specialized
8.7

A machine that uses moving or falling water to make power

radial engine
  • Specialized
7.1

A motor with cylinders arranged in a circle around a central hub used in aircraft

reaction engine
  • Specialized
6.0

A machine like a jet or rocket that pushes a vehicle by throwing fast gas out the back

7.1

A machine that pushes a rocket or other spacecraft forward by shooting out fast gases

repulsorlift engine
  • Literature
9.9

A device in science fiction that makes vehicles float above the ground

pilot engine
  • Archaic
7.6

A train engine that goes ahead to check the track for obstacles

switch engine
  • Specialized
6.6

A small vehicle that moves train cars inside a rail yard

traction engine
  • Archaic
9.9

A steam-powered vehicle with wheels that pulls heavy loads on farms and roads

valve-in-head engine
  • Specialized
8.5

An engine with the parts that let air in and let exhaust out at the top of the cylinders

Wankel engine
  • Specialized
8.0

A motor that makes power by a three-sided rotor turning inside an oval chamber

Wankel rotary engine
  • Specialized
7.8

A car engine that makes power using a spinning three-sided piece instead of moving pistons

How Powerful

rocket engine
  • Specialized
5 3.6
jet engine
  • Specialized
14 3.7
engine
  • Specialized
1.0
diesel engine
  • Specialized
6 2.8
motor
256 2.7

Surface Forms

engine singular
engines plural

Etymology

Engine comes from Latin ingenium ('natural skill') and Old French engin ('clever device'). Think of an engine as a 'clever tool' that makes power, which is why the word names the machine that turns fuel into movement.