engine
EHND-zhihn
Engine (noun) means a machine that converts fuel or energy into motion or force, especially the part of a vehicle that powers it. Example: “The lorry's engine roared as it climbed the steep hill out of the village.”
noun
1
A machine that converts fuel or energy into motion or force, especially the part of a vehicle that powers it.
"The lorry's engine roared as it climbed the steep hill out of the village."
"The mechanic spent all afternoon trying to figure out why the engine wouldn't start."
"Modern cars use much smaller engines than they did thirty years ago."
2
A software system built to handle one specific technical job, usually named after that job.
"The shop uses a recommendation engine to suggest items you might like to buy."
"The website's search engine returns results in under a second."
"Game developers often build their own physics engine from scratch."
3
A person, group, or force that drives or powers something forward.
"Curiosity is the engine of all good science, and children have plenty of it."
"Small businesses are often called the engine of the local economy."
"She was the engine behind the whole fundraising campaign."
4
A locomotive; the self-powered unit that pulls a train.
"The old steam engine at the heritage railway is polished every weekend by volunteers."
"A red engine puffed slowly along the valley with six carriages behind it."
"The children waved as the engine pulled the carriages out of the station."
How to use engine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe part of a machine that makes it go, or more loosely, anything (software, a person, an industry) that drives something forward.
Common pairings
start the engine
search engine
engine trouble
the engine of growth
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Word forms
- Plural
- engines
- Third person singular
- engines
- Past tense
- engined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lorry's _____ roared as it climbed the steep hill out of the village.
Etymology
From Old French engin ("skill, cleverness, war machine"), from Latin ingenium ("innate talent, natural ability") — the same root that gives us "ingenious".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for engine
See all rhymes for engine →Frequently asked questions
What does “engine” mean?
The word “engine” means a machine that converts fuel or energy into motion or force, especially the part of a vehicle that powers it. In plain terms, the part of a machine that makes it go, or more loosely, anything (software, a person, an industry) that drives something forward.
How do you pronounce “engine”?
“Engine” is pronounced EHND-zhihn (/ˈɛnd͡ʒɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “engine” in a sentence?
Here is “engine” used in a sentence: “The mechanic spent all afternoon trying to figure out why the engine wouldn't start.”
What is another word for “engine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “engine” include motor and locomotive.
What part of speech is “engine”?
“Engine” is a noun.
Where does the word “engine” come from?
The word “engine” comes from Latin. From Old French engin ("skill, cleverness, war machine"), from Latin ingenium ("innate talent, natural ability") — the same root that gives us "ingenious".
Is “engine” a common word?
“Engine” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “engine” have?
“Engine” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a machine that converts fuel or energy into motion or force, especially the part of a vehicle that powers it.
What is the difference between an engine and a motor?
The words overlap, but 'engine' usually means a machine that burns fuel to create motion, like a car's gasoline engine. 'Motor' more often means one powered by electricity, like an electric motor. That said, people use them loosely, and 'motor' has long been a casual word for a car engine too.
What are the main types of engine?
Common types include the internal combustion engine that burns gasoline or diesel, the jet engine that powers aircraft, the steam engine that drove early trains, and the electric motor. They differ in their fuel or energy source, but all share the same job of turning energy into useful movement or force.
What is an example of an engine?
The engine under a car's hood is the most familiar example, converting fuel into the motion that turns the wheels. Other examples include the jet engines on an aircraft, a lawnmower's small gasoline engine, and the powerful diesel engines that drive ships and locomotives across long distances.
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