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engine definition

en·gine (en′jən)

noun

  1. any machine that uses energy to develop mechanical power; esp., a machine for transmitting motion to some other machine
  2. a railroad locomotive
  3. any instrument or machine; apparatus engines of warfare, engines of torture
  4. fire engine
  5. Archaic any means or device

Etymology: ME engin, native talent, hence something produced by this < OFr < L ingenium, natural ability, genius < in-, in + base of gignere, to beget: see genus

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

engine Synonyms

engine

n.

  1. A machine for transforming power

    motor, power plant, dynamo, generator, turbine, diesel engine, traction engine, plasma engine, ion engine, steam turbine, reciprocating engine, transformer, step-up transformer, source of power, diesel, powerhouse*.

  2. A locomotive

    steam engine, motor, traction engine; see locomotive.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

engine Usage Examples

Preposition: under

  • bonnet: You could be fooled into thinking there was a normally aspirated 2 liter engine under the bonnet.

Converse of object

  • reciprocate: There was a total of nine cases ( 16 % ) in which reciprocating aircraft engines either stopped completely in flight or lost power.

Adjective modifier

  • diesel: The practice of using actual horse power to haul the trucks to the line died out with the introduction of the diesel engine.

Modifies a noun

  • optimization: Here's the main points to great search engine optimization.

Noun used with modifier

  • search: Search engines don't usually care what a web site looks like.
engine usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

engine quotes

It is a misfortune that necessity has induced men to accord greater licensetothis formidable engine, inorder to obtain liberty, than can be borne with less important objects in view; for the press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.

-Cooper,James Fenimore

TheTimes is, we suppose, entitled to the character it gives of itself, of being the'leading journal of Europe', and is perhaps the greatest engine of temporary opinion in the world.

-Hazlitt,William

Theyare sped; And when they list, their lean and flashy songs 578 Grate on their scrannel Pipes of wretched straw, The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed, But swollen with wind, and the rank mist they draw, Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread, Besides what the grim wolf with privy paw Daily devours apace, and nothing said, But that two-handed engine at the door, Stands ready to smite once, and smite no more.

-Milton,John

engine quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"engine." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/engine>

APA Style

engine. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/engine

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