diesel engine

noun

: an internal combustion engine in which air is compressed to a temperature sufficiently high to ignite fuel injected into the cylinder where the combustion and expansion actuate a piston

Examples of diesel engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Especially the trucks out here, big trucks and all, just full diesel engine revving down the street. — Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Rated at 27 horsepower (about 20 kW), it's aimed squarely at everyday farm chores like mowing, tilling and hauling – the kind of work that has traditionally meant firing up a diesel engine. — New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

Conventional diesel-electric submarines need atmospheric oxygen to run their diesel engines, while their batteries eventually need to be recharged. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

So, switching to electric from gasoline and diesel engines could cut fuel consumption and urban air pollution. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

diesel engine

noun

: an internal-combustion engine in which air is compressed to make enough heat to ignite the fuel in the cylinder