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

The purists were always going to take issue with a Prancing Horse that had an electric powertrain instead of snarling internal combustion engine, but its unorthodox design, courtesy of Jony Ivy’s LoveFrom studio, has received just as much criticism. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 June 2026

The combination of burning gasoline through internal combustion and utilizing electrical energy allows hybrids to travel further on a single tank of gas than internal combustion engine vehicles. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 June 2026

While internal combustion engine cars put less than 25% of the energy in gasoline to use, EVs use about 90% of the energy in electricity to turn the car's wheels. — Jeff Brady, NPR, 1 June 2026

Ethiopia was the first country to ban imports of internal combustion engine vehicles, spurring faster adoption of electric vehicles. — ABC News, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

internal combustion engine

noun

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