stationary engine

American  

noun

1. an engine mounted in a fixed position, as one used for driving generators, compressors, etc.

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stationary engine British  

noun

1. an engine that remains in a fixed position, esp one in a building that drives generators or other machinery

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Other Word Forms

• stationary engineer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of stationary engine

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

His father worked for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Coal Co., first running the stationary engine in the shaft, then working on a company-owned farm.

From Time Magazine Archive

In 1880 Vacuum was absorbed by Standard Oil and developed rapidly when lubricating oil was needed for the stationary engine, the automobile, and finally the electric generator, motor and transformer and the steam turbine.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some were unloading the flat-cars, others were “assembling” a stationary engine near the wall of the butte.

From 'Firebrand' Trevison by Ivory, P. V. E. (Percy Van Eman)

A stationary engine was hauling a procession of coal-laden trucks—"tubs" is the technical word—out of its depths.

From From Sea to Sea Letters of Travel by Kipling, Rudyard

Andrew Carnegie came over from Scotland with only a sovereign in his pocket but with sovereignty in his soul and fired a stationary engine at two dollars and a half a week.

From Revisiting the Earth by Hill, James Langdon