engine

noun

en·gine | \ ˈen-jən

Definition of engine

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : 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

2 : a railroad locomotive

3a : something used to effect a purpose : agent, instrument mournful and terrible engine of horror and of crime— E. A. Poe

b : something that produces a particular and usually desirable result engines of economic growth

4a : machinery

b : any of various mechanical appliances —often used in combination fire engine

c : a mechanical tool: such as

(1) : an instrument or machine of war

(2) obsolete : a torture implement

5 : computer software that performs a fundamental function especially of a larger program

6 obsolete

a : ingenuity

b : evil contrivance : wile

engine

verb

engined; engining

Definition of engine (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to equip with engines

Other Words from engine Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About engine

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for engine

Synonyms: Noun

machine,
motor

Examples of engine in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Cobb equipped each cylinder of the engine with its owner burner and igniter, so that a flame spits out of each. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2021 The impetus for this latest expansion taking effect is that the plant will be the exclusive North American producer of the twin-turbo V6 engine for the 2022 Tundra. — Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 20 Sep. 2021 The shape and size of the engine could affect the plane’s wing design, to single out just one potential complication. — Jennifer Alsever, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2021 The new truck is expected to use a twin-turbo V-6 instead of the current V-8 engine, and will feature coil springs in the rear. — Connor Hoffman, Car and Driver, 14 Sep. 2021 One story stuck with her: A young lady walking through the door of her office building two blocks away from the World Trade Center was struck by pieces of an engine that tore up her back. — Ben Brasch, ajc, 10 Sep. 2021 All of this was threaded together through the use of the Unreal game engine, with special effects and atmospheric video processing to create mood. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 10 Sep. 2021 Benedictine handed Central Catholic its first loss in convincing fashion, building a 35-0 lead with two interceptions by junior Ryan Konyecsni serving as part of the engine. — Matt Goul, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2021 What disturbed Jesse Taggart was the sound of an engine, revving and closing distance on him at an alarming speed. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Aug. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb From crying babies to engine turbines, the earbuds provided smooth listening and drowned out all distractions. — Nina Huang, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2021 Boeing and Airbus have often timed all-new aircraft to engine technology that provides a step-change in efficiency, such as the GEnx turbofans that made Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner twin-aisle greener and quieter than its predecessors. — BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2021 Changes to the truck, from chassis to body to engine to interior, reflect consumer needs, requests and complaints. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 2 Jan. 2021 Changes to the truck, from chassis to body to engine to interior, reflect consumer needs, requests and complaints. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 2 Jan. 2021 Changes to the truck, from chassis to body to engine to interior, reflect consumer needs, requests and complaints. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 2 Jan. 2021 Changes to the truck, from chassis to body to engine to interior, reflect consumer needs, requests and complaints. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 2 Jan. 2021 Changes to the truck, from chassis to body to engine to interior, reflect consumer needs, requests and complaints. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 2 Jan. 2021 Changes to the truck, from chassis to body to engine to interior, reflect consumer needs, requests and complaints. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 2 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'engine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.