engine

noun

en·gine | \ ˈen-jən

Definition of engine

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 obsolete

a : ingenuity

b : evil contrivance : wile

2a : 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

3a : a mechanical tool: such as

(1) : an instrument or machine of war

(2) obsolete : a torture implement

b : machinery

c : 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

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

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

The airline and the FAA said the plane had a problem with one of its engines, not the flight-control software. — David Koenig, The Seattle Times, "FAA to revamp aircraft construction oversight, official says," 27 Mar. 2019 Microsoft has naturally held back most of the secret sauce of its Edge rendering engine in order to maintain a browser advantage on Windows. — Tom Warren, The Verge, "Google’s Chrome browser will get better because of Microsoft," 6 Dec. 2018 In a statement shared on both the Tig website and her Instagram, Markle said: What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity. — Morgan Evans, Town & Country, "A Definitive History of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royal Relationship," 15 Oct. 2018 Planes were warned of the ash clouds because volcanic ash is hazardous for their engines. — Fox News, "Volcano erupts on same Indonesian island as earlier quake," 3 Oct. 2018 That four-door touring sedan, with its powerful engine and fantastic leather interior, made for an ideal chariot on our seven-day journey zig-zagging around France. — Matt Hranek, Condé Nast Traveler, "Great Drives: Speeding Through the French Countryside in the Audi A8," 25 Sep. 2018 Pinkins said Thomas revved his engine and that he was wedged between Thomas' car and a parked car. — Max Londberg, kansascity, "Security guards with Overland Park firm murder man in car outside KC bar, police say," 11 July 2018 Then the fire, driven by 35- to 40-mph winds, overtook his engine. — Gabby Ferreira, sacbee, "He was fighting the fast-moving Klamathon Fire. Then flames swept over his engine," 8 July 2018 Its engine is a four-on-the-floor dance rhythm and hummable dun-dahhhhhhhhhhhhh melody. — William Goodman, Billboard, "Bjork's 'Debut': An Art-Pop Masterpiece Turns 25," 5 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Why can't engine manufacturers come up with an engine similar to what is on the more fuel-efficient aircraft — for example, producing a version of the engine that is on a 787 or a 777 — to fit and safely propel the 747? — John Cox, USA TODAY, "Ask the Captain: Can the 747 be saved?," 29 Oct. 2017

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.