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

Explanation

A turbine is a device used to generate energy as a flowing liquid causes a bladed rotor to move around. A water wheel is a turbine. There are many ways we get energy, such as fossil fuels and solar power. Another is a gadget called a turbine. A turbine uses the power of water (or another liquid) to move a wheel, generating energy. A windmill is also an example of a turbine, though it uses wind instead of liquid. Other turbines use gas or steam to generate energy. Ever since the 1800s, engineers have used many sorts of turbines to help satisfy our ever-increasing energy needs.

Example Sentences

Turbine manufacturers riding the electricity wave look rich too.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

Of course, the company has a point: Turbine engines can produce thrust or electricity.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

Taylor-Mills owns the companies that run the Turbine, and is also artistic director of another London venue, The Other Palace.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2024

Eta had played for Turbine Potsdam – winning the Champions League in 2010 and three Bundesliga titles with the team – before spells at Hamburger SV, Cloppenburg and Bremen.

From Washington Times • Nov. 23, 2023

From one of the passages leading to the Pit, a cavern is reached, named the Turbine, owing to the noise from waterspouts resembling the sound of water falling into the pit of a turbine.

From Among the Canadian Alps by Burpee, Lawrence J. (Lawrence Johnstone)

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