combustion engine

noun

: an engine that derives its motive force from the energy of combustion

Examples of combustion engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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According to Mega Engine, Chi, its high-pressure oxygen-rich staged combustion engine demonstrated rapid startup and stable combustion during the test. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026 Despite the biturbo and hugely powerful combustion engine, the Temerario’s traction from a standstill is incredible, like an EV. James Morris, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 Then came the internal-combustion engine. Allen Best, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026 The First Gilded Age, roughly from 1870 to 1914, was also a period of technological and economic progress, during which many major inventions were made, including electricity, the combustion engine, and the telephone. Mordecai Kurz, Time, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combustion engine

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of combustion engine was in 1886

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Cite this Entry

“Combustion engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustion%20engine. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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