steam engine

noun

: an engine driven or worked by steam
specifically : a reciprocating engine having a piston driven in a closed cylinder by steam

Examples of steam engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nowadays, old-fashioned steam engines alternate with biodiesel locomotives for the three-hour round trip on the mountain’s western slope. Patricia Harris and David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023 And while the film features an array of mind-blowing stunts, including Ethan driving a motorcycle off a cliff or a climatic fight atop a moving steam engine train, there was also plenty of emotion for Balfe to root his score in. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 July 2023 Looking back in history, the steam engine developed by James Watt in 1769 not only revolutionized the power of machines but also revolutionized locomotion when applied to steamships and steam locomotives. Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2023 The first Industrial Revolution was powered by the steam engine, the second by the automobile, and the third by the Internet and personal computer. Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2023 On Saturday, the comedian, 72, was working on a steam engine underneath a car in his garage when a fire began. Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2022 The original steam engines were replaced with two 2,775-hp MAN diesels, rendering the yellow funnel redundant. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2023 One of his earliest railroad memories is a steam engine ride from Kentucky to Texas during World War II. Maggie Scales, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023 Their authentic steam engine train is over 110 years old. Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'steam engine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steam engine was in 1751

Dictionary Entries Near steam engine

Cite this Entry

“Steam engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steam%20engine. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

steam engine

noun
: an engine driven by steam

More from Merriam-Webster on steam engine

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