turbine

American  

[tur-bin, -bahyn] / ˈtɜr bɪn, -baɪn /

noun

1. any of various machines having a rotor, usually with vanes or blades, driven by the pressure, momentum, or reactive thrust of a moving fluid, as steam, water, hot gases, or air, either occurring in the form of free jets or as a fluid passing through and entirely filling a housing around the rotor.

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turbine British  

/ ˈtɜːbɪn, -baɪn /

noun

1. any of various types of machine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted into mechanical energy by causing a bladed rotor to rotate. The moving fluid may be water, steam, air, or combustion products of a fuel See also reaction turbine impulse turbine gas turbine

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turbine Scientific  

/ tûr′bĭn,-bīn′ /

1. Any of various machines in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid, such as water, steam, or gas, is converted to rotary motion. Turbines are used in boat propulsion systems, hydroelectric power generators, and jet aircraft engines.

2. See also gas turbine

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Etymology

Origin of turbine

1815–25; < French < Latin turbin-, stem of turbō something that spins, e.g., top, spindle, whirlwind; akin to turbid

Example Sentences

His data centers around the Memphis area have had to contend with energy constraints and Musk brought in a number of portable gas turbines to power the facilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

All the creature’s unease had vanished: he gave a guttural burr in his throat, a turbine of delight.

From Literature

“At the end of March, we’ll lose access to the vessel required to complete installation of the remaining turbines,” Parks says.

From The Wall Street Journal

For decades companies have been drilling deep underground to find pockets of extremely hot water that can be piped to the surface and used to spin turbines that generate electricity.

From Barron's

Traditional heat engines, such as internal combustion engines and steam turbines, operate by turning thermal energy into mechanical motion, or simply converting heat into movement.

From Science Daily

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