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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for diesel engine 

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diesel engine was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near diesel engine

Cite this Entry

“Diesel engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diesel%20engine. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on diesel engine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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