internal combustion engine

noun

: a heat engine in which the combustion that generates the heat takes place inside the engine proper instead of in a furnace

Examples of internal combustion engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That’s a useful property inside an internal combustion engine, which uses tiny explosions to turn a crank that spins the wheels of a truck or the propeller of a boat. Emily Wright, Washington Post, 27 June 2024 For more than 100 years, the internal combustion engine (ICE) has been the mechanism of choice for vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 6 June 2024 Regardless of what its exact market share is, the fundamental point is that the internal combustion engine—especially when powered by low-carbon technology and alternative fuels—will remain a significant fixture of the automotive market well into the future. Patrice Haettel, Fortune, 8 May 2024 Huge oil discoveries, among other things, tipped the balance in favor of the internal combustion engine. Carl Benedikt Frey, Foreign Affairs, 19 June 2020 See all Example Sentences for internal combustion engine 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'internal combustion 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

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of internal combustion engine was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near internal combustion engine

Cite this Entry

“Internal combustion engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal%20combustion%20engine. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

internal combustion engine

noun
: an engine in which the fuel is ignited within the engine cylinder instead of in an external furnace
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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