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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s because these trucks have diesel engines that, while more powerful, produce more pollution than gasoline engines. —Sophie Austin, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2023

Chrysler's number for this recall is 37A. Jeep, Ram fuel pump failure could stall engine Chrysler is recalling 45,711 of its Jeep and Ram vehicles with a 3.0L diesel engine because their high-pressure fuel pumps may fail, which can result in an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash. —Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2023

How these emission-belching behemoths will transition to batteries and fuel cells Photo: Martin Witte/Alamy The Big Leagues: The Emma Maersk, one of the world’s largest container ships, is powered by a diesel engine. —Maria Gallucci, IEEE Spectrum, 29 May 2018

Work assignments include the bridge, where the captain commands the vessel, and the engine room below deck, where massive diesel engines power the Golden Bear on voyages to Asia, Europe and Latin America. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023

This title is assigned to people who repair or maintain farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, combines, irrigation systems and dairy equipment, but does not include mechanics who work generally on trucks or diesel engines. —Jayme Fraser, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023

With a single 330-horsepower Cummins diesel engine, the boat has a range of 2,500 nautical miles at 10 knots, burning just a half gallon of fuel per hour. —Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2023

That's why marine diesel engines stand three stories tall. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 Apr. 2019

Out back, the spare has been tucked up some 2.5 inches higher for better departure clearance, because there's no longer a need to create space for the discontinued diesel engine's DEF tank. —Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 17 Feb. 2023

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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