engine

1 of 2

noun

en·​gine ˈen-jən 

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

3

a

: something used to effect a purpose : agent, instrument

… mournful and terrible engine of Horror and of Crime …

—Edgar Allan Poe

b

: something that produces a particular and usually desirable result

engines of economic growth

4

a

: 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

engineless adjective

engine

2 of 2

verb

engined; engining

transitive verb

: to equip with engines

Synonyms of engine

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

For 13 days, skiing stopped entirely, and so did much of the town's economic engine. —Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026

The most significant changes involved top LAFD officials’ decision not to fully staff up and pre-deploy all available engines and firefighters to the Palisades or other high-risk areas ahead of a dire wind forecast. —Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Verb

For one long, sparkly week, engines thrum like thunder as pre-, during- and after-parties thump. —Eric Barton, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026

No pre-deployment The afternoon before hazardous weather is expected, LAFD officials are typically briefed by the National Weather Service, using that information to decide where to position firefighters and engines the following morning. —Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6a

Verb

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing engine

• combustion engine
• diesel engine
• donkey engine
• external combustion engine
• fire engine
• fire-engine red
• heat engine
• in-line engine
• internal combustion engine
• ion engine
• jet engine
• multi-engine
• pilot engine
• precombustion engine
• pulse-jet engine
• radial engine
• reciprocating engine
• rotary engine
• search engine
• steam engine
• Stirling engine
• stratified charge engine
• switch engine
• turbojet engine
• turboprop engine
• V-engine
• Wankel engine

Kids Definition

engine

noun

en·​gine

ˈen-jən

1

: a mechanical device

2

: a machine that changes energy (as heat from burning fuel) into mechanical motion

3

: a railroad locomotive

Etymology

Noun

Middle English engin "natural talent or skill, mechanical device," from early French engin (same meaning), from Latin ingenium "natural ability or desire to do something," from in "in" and -genium, from gignere "to father, beget" — related to genius, gin entry 1, ingenious