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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
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
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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 20 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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