Stirling engine

noun

Stir·​ling engine ˈstər-liŋ- How to pronounce Stirling engine (audio)
: an external combustion engine having an enclosed working fluid (such as helium) that is alternately compressed and expanded to operate a piston

Word History

Etymology

Robert Stirling †1878 Scottish engineer

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Stirling engine was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near Stirling engine

Cite this Entry

“Stirling engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Stirling%20engine. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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