engine

play

noun en·gine \ˈen-jən\

Definition of engine

1 obsolete a : ingenuityb : evil contrivance : wile
2a : something used to effect a purpose : agent, instrument mournful and terrible engine of horror and of crime — E. A. Poeb : something that produces a particular and usually desirable result engines of economic growth
3a : a mechanical tool: such as (1) : an instrument or machine of war (2) obsolete : a torture implementb : machineryc : any of various mechanical appliances —often used in combination fire engine
4 : a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion; also : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source black holes may be the engines for quasars
5 : a railroad locomotive
6 : computer software that performs a fundamental function especially of a larger program

engineless

adjective

See engine defined for English-language learners

See engine defined for kids

Examples of engine in a Sentence

The car has a four-cylinder engine.
tanks, planes, and other engines of war
The tax cut could be an engine of economic growth.

Origin and Etymology of engine

Middle English engin, from Anglo-French, from Latin ingenium natural disposition, talent, from in- + gignere to beget — more at kin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

engine

verb en·gine

Definition of engine

engined

;

engining

transitive verb
: to equip with engines

First Known Use of engine

1841

ENGINE Defined for English Language Learners

engine

play

noun

Definition of engine for English Language Learners

: a machine that changes energy (such as heat from burning fuel) into mechanical motion
: the vehicle that pulls a train
: something that is used for a particular purpose

ENGINE Defined for Kids

engine

play

noun en·gine \ˈen-jən\

Definition of engine for Students

1 : a mechanical tool or device tanks, planes, and other engines of war
2 : a machine for driving or operating something especially by using the energy of steam, gasoline, or oil
3 : locomotive

History for engine

The English word engine came from the Latin word ingenium, meaning “natural talent.” At first the word engine meant “skill” or “cleverness.” In time the word came to be used for things that are products of human skills and cleverness—tools and machines, for example.