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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By replacing combustion engine trucks, the use of BEVs drastically reduces toxic fume production, but also heat buildup underground. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026 London — Plans to ban the sale of new combustion engine cars in the European Union by 2035 have been thrown into turmoil after pressure from car manufacturers. Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025 Tilman Blasshofer and Timm Reichert Reuters The European Commission will move to scrap plans for an effective ban on new combustion engine cars from 2035, a senior EU lawmaker said on Friday, in what would be a major victory for Germany, which has been pressing to protect its automakers. USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025 Audi says the output of the electric motor will, in the future, be on a comparable level with the combustion engine, which will be powered by sustainable fuels from 2026. Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 15 Nov. 2025 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 14 Jan. 2026.

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