internal combustion engine

noun

: a heat engine in which the combustion that generates the heat takes place inside the engine proper instead of in a furnace

Examples of internal combustion engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gooden ditched his internal combustion engine vehicle over a year ago and said days like these reinforce that decision. ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026 Similar advice is given for internal combustion engine, or ICE, vehicles going below one-eighth of a tank of gas. Adam L. Neal, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026 In those systems, the internal combustion engine charges batteries that then power the electric motor. David Szondy march 07, New Atlas, 7 Mar. 2026 This all surrounded the battery, which is even more important in F1 this year given it now provides half of the car’s power, with the rest coming from the internal combustion engine. Luke Smith, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for internal combustion engine

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of internal combustion engine was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Internal combustion engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal%20combustion%20engine. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

internal combustion engine

noun
: an engine in which the fuel is ignited within the engine cylinder instead of in an external furnace
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