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

Every commercial jet engine must meet strict regulatory intervals while also fitting around flight schedules, parts inventory and shop capacity. —Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

For example, if Country A must import jet engines or microchips from Country B, Country A might try to hack Country B’s companies to copy that technology and become self-sufficient. —William Akoto, The Conversation, 25 June 2025

China has a virtual monopoly on rare earths, without which cars, jet engines, contrast dye used in MRI machines and some cancer drugs cannot be manufactured. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 11 June 2025

At the end of May, Trump officials blocked exports to China of certain technologies, including those related to jet engines and semiconductors. —Michael Luo, New Yorker, 8 June 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