reciprocating engine

noun

: an engine in which the to-and-fro motion of one or more pistons is transformed into the rotary motion of a crankshaft

Examples of reciprocating engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
For example, hybrid systems such as MHIET’s Eblox combine renewable energy such as solar power with a reciprocating engine generator for backup and a battery for storage. Andrea Willige, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2021 For example, Antelope Station, a 165 megawatt electricity producer in Texas, has 18 reciprocating engine generators to balance out wind variability, and can get to full operating capacity in 5 minutes. Tatiana Schlossberg, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reciprocating engine was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near reciprocating engine

Cite this Entry

“Reciprocating engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reciprocating%20engine. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on reciprocating engine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!