jet engine

noun

: an engine that produces motion as a result of the rearward discharge of a jet of fluid

specifically : an airplane engine that uses atmospheric oxygen to burn fuel and produces a rearward discharge of heated air and exhaust gases see airplane illustration

Examples of jet engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, Anduril told CBS in a recent 60 Minutes segment that Fury uses a commercial business jet engine and easily available landing gear components, instead of bespoke equipment and military aircraft powertrains. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 15 Nov. 2025

If a computer was a bicycle for the mind, AGI is like a jet engine. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2025

If the claims are true, this new shape-shifting jet engine could make future aircraft faster, stealthier, and far more fuel efficient. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025

Such restrictions would be placed on items ranging from laptops to jet engines and would serve as a way to push back on China's rare earth export restrictions, according to the sources. —Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

jet engine

noun

: an engine that produces motion as a result of the rearward discharge of a jet of fluid

especially : an aircraft engine that uses atmospheric oxygen to burn fuel and produces a rearward discharge of heated air and exhaust gases