engine

n motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

Types:: show 15 types...; hide 15 types...; aircraft engine
the engine that powers and aircraft; automobile engine
the engine that propels an automobile; auxiliary engine, donkey engine
(nautical) a small engine (as one used on board ships to operate a windlass); generator
engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction; heat engine
any engine that makes use of heat to do work; reaction engine, reaction-propulsion engine
a jet or rocket engine based on a form of aerodynamic propulsion in which the vehicle emits a high-speed stream; alternator
an old term for an electric generator that produces alternating current (especially in automobiles); dynamo
generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature; external-combustion engine
a heat engine in which ignition occurs outside the chamber (cylinder or turbine) in which heat is converted to mechanical energy; ICE, internal-combustion engine
a heat engine in which combustion occurs inside the engine rather than in a separate furnace; heat expands a gas that either moves a piston or turns a gas turbine; ion engine
a type of reaction-propulsion engine to propel rockets in space; a stream of positive ions is accelerated to a high velocity by an electric field; jet engine
a gas turbine produces a stream of hot gas that propels a jet plane by reaction propulsion; magneto, magnetoelectric machine
a small dynamo with a secondary winding that produces a high voltage enabling a spark to jump between the poles of a spark plug in a gasoline engine; turbogenerator
generator consisting of a steam turbine coupled to an electric generator for the production of electric power; aerogenerator, wind generator, windmill
generator that extracts usable energy from winds

Type of:: motor
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

n a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks

Synonyms:: locomotive, locomotive engine, railway locomotive

Types:: show 13 types...; hide 13 types...; choo-choo
a child's word for locomotive; diesel locomotive
a locomotive driven by a diesel engine; dinkey, dinky
a small locomotive; electric locomotive
a locomotive that is powered by an electric motor; iron horse
(c. 1840) an early term for a locomotive; pilot engine
a locomotive that precedes a train to check the track; shunter
a small locomotive used to move cars around but not to make trips; steam locomotive
a locomotive powered by a steam engine; donkey engine, switch engine
a locomotive for switching rolling stock in a railroad yard; tank engine, tank locomotive
a locomotive that carries its own fuel and water; no tender is needed; traction engine
steam-powered locomotive for drawing heavy loads along surfaces other than tracks; diesel-electric, diesel-electric locomotive
a locomotive driven by the electric current generated by a diesel engine; diesel-hydraulic, diesel-hydraulic locomotive
a locomotive driven by a hydraulic transmission system powered by a diesel engine

Type of:: self-propelled vehicle
a wheeled vehicle that carries in itself a means of propulsion

n something used to achieve a purpose

“an engine of change”

Type of:: causal agency, causal agent, cause
any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results

n an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.

“medieval engines of war”

Types:: battering ram
a ram used to break down doors of fortified buildings; arbalest, arbalist, ballista, bricole, catapult, mangonel, onager, trebuchet, trebucket
an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

Type of:: instrument
a device that requires skill for proper use

DEFINITIONS OF: engine

n motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

n a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks

n something used to achieve a purpose

n an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.