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ion engine

noun
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Definition of ion engine

: a reaction engine deriving thrust from the ejection of a stream of ionized particles

Examples of ion engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Better yet, the power needed to run the ion engine can come from solar panels — no heavy onboard fuel tanks or generators required. — Corey S. Powell, Discover Magazine, "These New Technologies Could Make Interstellar Travel Real," 13 Mar. 2019 Launched in 2007 with an ion engine, Dawn is nearing the end of its extended mission. — Marcia Dunn, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA's Dawn spacecraft sending back close-ups of dwarf planet Ceres," 3 July 2018 Launched in 2007 with an ion engine, Dawn is nearing the end of its extended mission. — Marcia Dunn, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA's Dawn spacecraft sending back close-ups of dwarf planet Ceres," 3 July 2018 Launched in 2007 with an ion engine, Dawn is nearing the end of its extended mission. — Marcia Dunn, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA's Dawn spacecraft sending back close-ups of dwarf planet Ceres," 3 July 2018 Launched in 2007 with an ion engine, Dawn is nearing the end of its extended mission. — Marcia Dunn, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA's Dawn spacecraft sending back close-ups of dwarf planet Ceres," 3 July 2018 Launched in 2007 with an ion engine, Dawn is nearing the end of its extended mission. — Marcia Dunn, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA's Dawn spacecraft sending back close-ups of dwarf planet Ceres," 3 July 2018 Launched in 2007 with an ion engine, Dawn is nearing the end of its extended mission. — Marcia Dunn, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA's Dawn spacecraft sending back close-ups of dwarf planet Ceres," 3 July 2018 Launched in 2007 with an ion engine, Dawn is nearing the end of its extended mission. — Marcia Dunn, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA's Dawn spacecraft sending back close-ups of dwarf planet Ceres," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ion engine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ion engine

1958, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of ion engine was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“Ion engine.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ion%20engine. Accessed 13 December 2019.

More from Merriam-Webster on ion engine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ion engine

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