internal combustion engine
noun
: a heat engine in which the combustion that generates the heat takes place inside the engine proper instead of in a furnace
Examples of internal combustion engine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Vision Marine's commitment to eco-friendly electric powerboats is reshaping the recreational boating experience, offering higher speeds, longer ranges, and smoother rides than traditional internal combustion engine boats.
—
Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
The more affordable Maverick, which comes standard as hybrid, and also offers a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) version, continues to deliver, Abuelsamid said.
—Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Supercharger types Superchargers were invented back in the late 1800s; prolific German inventor Gottlieb Daimler received a patent for supercharging an internal combustion engine in 1885.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024
When operating at low speeds, traditional hybrids without a plug rely on the car’s electric motor and then shift to the internal combustion engine when additional power is needed.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024
The flip side is this will all but wipe out demand for internal combustion engine cars as total global new vehicle sales only hit 100 million in 2030, barely more than what was sold in the peak year of 2017.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2024
Carmakers appear to be running out of early EV adopters and are now turning their sights toward mass-market internal combustion engine drivers, who have been more reluctant to make the shift to EVs.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024
As electric vehicle sales slow, Farley is attempting to thread the needle between scaling back the company’s EV spending by $12 billion while dialing up output of traditional internal combustion engine models, which generate profits needed to fund future growth.
—Keith Naughton, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024
The group is planning to launch a mix of electric vehicles, internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and hybrid vehicles this year.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 13 Mar. 2024
Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
The more affordable Maverick, which comes standard as hybrid, and also offers a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) version, continues to deliver, Abuelsamid said.
—Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Supercharger types Superchargers were invented back in the late 1800s; prolific German inventor Gottlieb Daimler received a patent for supercharging an internal combustion engine in 1885.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024
When operating at low speeds, traditional hybrids without a plug rely on the car’s electric motor and then shift to the internal combustion engine when additional power is needed.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024
The flip side is this will all but wipe out demand for internal combustion engine cars as total global new vehicle sales only hit 100 million in 2030, barely more than what was sold in the peak year of 2017.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2024
Carmakers appear to be running out of early EV adopters and are now turning their sights toward mass-market internal combustion engine drivers, who have been more reluctant to make the shift to EVs.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024
As electric vehicle sales slow, Farley is attempting to thread the needle between scaling back the company’s EV spending by $12 billion while dialing up output of traditional internal combustion engine models, which generate profits needed to fund future growth.
—Keith Naughton, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024
The group is planning to launch a mix of electric vehicles, internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and hybrid vehicles this year.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'internal combustion engine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1884, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of internal combustion engine was
in 1884
Dictionary Entries Near internal combustion engine
Cite this Entry
“Internal combustion engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal%20combustion%20engine. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
internal combustion engine
noun
: an engine in which the fuel is ignited within the engine cylinder instead of in an external furnace
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