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 idea of burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine has been tried before with little success. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026

That not only powers the engines but creates far less pollution than a traditional internal combustion engine in the process. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

As a form of internal combustion engine (ICE), the new engine behaves much more like a diesel engine than earlier hydrogen engines. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026

The internal combustion engine now brings 691 horsepower to the party courtesy of a 3-psi bump in boost, while the electric motor adds another 178 ponies. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 6 Aug. 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