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Glite Dictionary
reaction engine

reaction engine

6.0
A machine like a jet or rocket that pushes a vehicle by throwing fast gas out the back
  • noun
  • /riˈækʃən ˈɛnʤɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : motor de reacción
  • Modern jet aircraft use a type of reaction engine to achieve efficient, high-speed flight.

Examples

  • The spacecraft was powered by a reaction engine capable of generating immense thrust.

  • The reaction engine powered the spacecraft into orbit.

  • During the demonstration, the new reaction engine produced a visible stream of exhaust.

  • Many reaction engines are used in modern aerospace applications.

  • Modern jet aircraft use a type of reaction engine to achieve efficient, high-speed flight.

  • The spacecraft was powered by a reaction engine capable of generating immense thrust.

  • During the demonstration, the new reaction engine produced a visible stream of exhaust.

Synonyms

reaction-propulsion engine
vsreaction engine
  • Specialized
7.1

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

is broader, covering propulsion by any high-speed gas or fluid expelled

Surface Forms

reaction engine singular
reaction engines plural

Morphology

reaction + engine

The noun compound directly combines 'reaction' (here understood as reaction force) with 'engine', so the meaning 'an engine that propels by reaction forces' is transparently derived from its parts. This compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically (e.g., French 'moteur à réaction'), so a learner who knows both constituent meanings should be able to infer the term.

Etymology

Reaction engine is named for the simple picture of an engine that makes a reaction: it pushes gas out the back and the push makes the craft move the other way. That's why the term describes engines like jets or rockets that move by throwing exhaust backward so the vehicle is pushed 'forward'.