diesel engine

noun

: an internal combustion engine in which air is compressed to a temperature sufficiently high to ignite fuel injected into the cylinder where the combustion and expansion actuate a piston

Examples of diesel engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cargo freighters and cruise ships, for instance, are often unable to connect to a port's electrical grid and must instead idle, relying on their onboard generators powered by massive diesel engines, which can lead to significant emissions and pollution. —Leah Carroll, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Calvert has introduced bipartisan legislation that would reduce diesel engine emissions and voted to roll back the Biden administration's WOTUS rule. —Daniel Moore, Axios, 3 Oct. 2024

Like going in and changing governor gain scheduling, for example, on a diesel engine would have a negative consequence on the emissions that [an] engine produces. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 3 Oct. 2024

Luckily, the train arrives with a fresh breeze, ten carriages drawn by a diesel engine, the red of the Turkish flag. —Kurt Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

diesel engine

noun

: an internal-combustion engine in which air is compressed to make enough heat to ignite the fuel in the cylinder