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
Europe's lofty plan to phase out the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2035 – which was laid out back in 2022 after tense negotiations – now seems all but dead.
—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2025
The European Commission is preparing to roll back measures that would restrict the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles within the EU from 2035.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Vigna says the plunge into EVs does not mean its internal combustion engine cars will be any less the company’s focus.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
And as for that new all-electric SUV (codename K1) that’s poised to be bigger than the Cayenne, that car will now be offered with either an internal combustion engine or a hybrid powertrain.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for internal combustion engine
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.
Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2025
The European Commission is preparing to roll back measures that would restrict the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles within the EU from 2035.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Vigna says the plunge into EVs does not mean its internal combustion engine cars will be any less the company’s focus.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
And as for that new all-electric SUV (codename K1) that’s poised to be bigger than the Cayenne, that car will now be offered with either an internal combustion engine or a hybrid powertrain.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
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 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share