turbine

noun

tur·​bine ˈtər-bən  -ˌbīn 

: a rotary engine actuated by the reaction or impulse or both of a current of fluid (such as water, steam, or air) subject to pressure and usually made with a series of curved vanes on a central rotating spindle

Did you know?

The oldest and simplest form of turbine is the waterwheel, which is made to rotate by water falling across its blades and into buckets suspended from them. Hero of Alexandria invented the first steam-driven turbine in the 1st century A.D., but a commercially practical steam turbine wasn't developed until 1884; steam turbines are now the main elements of electric power stations. Jet engines are gas turbines. A turbojet engine uses a turbine to compress the incoming air that feeds the engine before being ejected to push the plane forward; a turboprop engine uses its exhaust to drive a turbine that spins a propeller. A wind turbine generates electricity by being turned by the wind; the largest now have vanes with a turning diameter of over 400 feet.

Examples of turbine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When fully assembled, the turbines will then be towed by sea from Long Beach to wind lease areas in Morro and Humboldt bays. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

Honorable mention: Hoops amid the turbines Danilo Victoriano, Philippines Danilo Victoriano Six photos earned honorable mentions, including this striking shot of Bangui Bay, home to the first wind farm in Southeast Asia. —Vicky Hallett, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025

The name ‘Hover’ Energy name is both literally and symbolically a nod to the magnetically levitated turbines that ‘hover’ over rooftops; a reflection of this visionary founder’s deep belief in stewardship. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

That site, which is expected to consume 200 megawatts of power, enough to power tens of thousands of homes, will be powered by natural gas turbines. —David Jeans, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin turbin-, turbo top, whirlwind, whirl, from turba confusion — more at turbid

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing turbine

• gas turbine
• steam turbine
• wind turbine

Kids Definition

turbine

noun

tur·​bine ˈtər-bən 

-ˌbīn

: an engine whose central driving shaft is fitted with a series of blades spun around by the pressure of a fluid (as water, steam, or air)

Etymology

from French turbine "turbine," from Latin turbin-, turbo "top (for spinning), whirlwind"