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
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However, the battery is powered by an internal combustion engine running on gasoline. Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025 In 1858, the BelgianFrench engineer Étienne Lenoir invented the first commercial internal combustion engine. Alan Lightman september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025 They were adapted from existing internal combustion engine platforms, with the electric powertrains shoehorned inside. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 Auto analysts say that from a pricing perspective this hits the sweet spot for consumers as many popular internal combustion engine mid-sized SUVs fall in that price band, including Hyundai's Creta. Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for internal combustion engine

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Internal combustion engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal%20combustion%20engine. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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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