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
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The electrical output has almost tripled to 350kW, and the power split will now be nearly 50-50 between the internal combustion engine and the hybrid system.
—
Luke Smith, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Until recently, Kei cars have been mainly internal combustion engine powered, but Suzuki recently unveiled its Vision e-Sky concept electric Kei car.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
However, the battery is powered by an internal combustion engine running on gasoline.
—Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 24 Jan. 2026
An electric vehicle doesn't have the same start-up process as an internal combustion engine vehicle.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for internal combustion engine
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Luke Smith, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Until recently, Kei cars have been mainly internal combustion engine powered, but Suzuki recently unveiled its Vision e-Sky concept electric Kei car.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
However, the battery is powered by an internal combustion engine running on gasoline.
—Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 24 Jan. 2026
An electric vehicle doesn't have the same start-up process as an internal combustion engine vehicle.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for internal combustion engine
Cite this Entry
“Internal combustion engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal%20combustion%20engine. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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