turbine

1 of 3

noun (1)

tur·​bine ˈtər-bən  -ˌbīn 

: a rotary engine actuated by the reaction or impulse or both of a current of fluid (such as water, steam, or air) subject to pressure and usually made with a series of curved vanes on a central rotating spindle

turbo

2 of 3

noun (2)

tur·​bo ˈtər-(ˌ)bō 

plural turbos

1

: turbine

2

[by shortening] : turbocharger

turbo-

3 of 3

combining form

1

: coupled directly to a driving turbine

turbofan

2

: consisting of or incorporating a turbine

turbojet engine

Did you know?

The oldest and simplest form of turbine is the waterwheel, which is made to rotate by water falling across its blades and into buckets suspended from them. Hero of Alexandria invented the first steam-driven turbine in the 1st century A.D., but a commercially practical steam turbine wasn't developed until 1884; steam turbines are now the main elements of electric power stations. Jet engines are gas turbines. A turbojet engine uses a turbine to compress the incoming air that feeds the engine before being ejected to push the plane forward; a turboprop engine uses its exhaust to drive a turbine that spins a propeller. A wind turbine generates electricity by being turned by the wind; the largest now have vanes with a turning diameter of over 400 feet.

Examples of turbine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As such, keeping in mind that the same turbine can have very different ecological impacts depending on where it is placed and avoiding sensitive areas during planning can considerably reduce risks. — Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

But manufacturers already producing turbines for other uses are retrofitting now to produce wind energy, even if less efficiently. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Noun

Every additional battery cell, safety system, turbo, bigger brake package, and luxury feature adds weight, making modern sports cars faster but often less involving. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

The aircraft is equipped with eight electric motors and a turbo-generator that recharges the batteries while in flight, thereby eliminating the need for charging infrastructure on land. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French, from Latin turbin-, turbo top, whirlwind, whirl, from turba confusion — more at turbid

Noun (2)

turbo-

Combining form

turbine

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1842, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing turbine

• gas turbine
• steam turbine
• wind turbine

Kids Definition

turbine

noun

tur·​bine ˈtər-bən 

-ˌbīn

: an engine whose central driving shaft is fitted with a series of blades spun around by the pressure of a fluid (as water, steam, or air)

Etymology

Noun

from French turbine "turbine," from Latin turbin-, turbo "top (for spinning), whirlwind"