jet engine

noun

: an engine that produces motion as a result of the rearward discharge of a jet of fluid

specifically : an airplane engine that uses atmospheric oxygen to burn fuel and produces a rearward discharge of heated air and exhaust gases see airplane illustration

Examples of jet engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These minerals are vital for power grids, batteries, and other energy equipment, but they are also needed for AI chips, jet engines, and defense applications. —Fatih Birol, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

China agreed to approve more export permits for rare earths in return for the U.S. lifting curbs on the sale of chip design software and jet engines to China. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025

This includes items such as spacecraft, hypersonic aircraft, jet engines in the aerospace industry, or fusion reactors and nuclear plants. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025

Weighing only 67 pounds and much lighter than the average motorcycle, the Airbike uses multiple jet engines instead of propellers, dramatically changing the function and feel of flight. —Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

jet engine

noun

: an engine that produces motion as a result of the rearward discharge of a jet of fluid

especially : an aircraft engine that uses atmospheric oxygen to burn fuel and produces a rearward discharge of heated air and exhaust gases