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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chinese consumers are increasingly choosing new energy vehicles, a category that includes both plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles, instead of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Jason Ma, Fortune Asia, 9 Dec. 2024 However, most of these current EVs are built on platforms shared with internal combustion engine models, as BMW hedged its bets while electric market growth remained unpredictable. Byjames Morris, Fortune Europe, 26 Nov. 2024 New hybrid prices are on par with gasoline vehicles: The price of hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles converged, with hybrid prices moving below internal combustion engine vehicles by $88. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024 Traditional internal combustion engine vehicles are loud and inefficient when idling. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 18 Sep. 2024 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

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 22 Dec. 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
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