Carnot cycle

American  

noun

Thermodynamics.

1. an ideal cycle of reversible engine operations in which a substance at one temperature is compressed adiabatically to a second temperature, expanded isothermally at the second temperature, expanded adiabatically from the second temperature to the first temperature, and compressed isothermally at the first temperature.

---

Carnot cycle British  

noun

1. an idealized reversible heat-engine cycle giving maximum efficiency and consisting of an isothermal expansion, an adiabatic expansion, an isothermal compression, and an adiabatic compression back to the initial state

---

Etymology

Origin of Carnot cycle

After N. L. S. Carnot

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Carnot cycle

The concept is illustrated by the Carnot cycle, an idealized model that defines the maximum theoretical efficiency of a heat engine by carefully regulating the movement of heat between hot and cold regions.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026

Any heat engine employing the Carnot cycle is called a Carnot engine.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

We noted that for a Carnot cycle, and hence for any reversible processes, Qc / Qh = Tc / Th .

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

He devised a theoretical cycle, now called the Carnot cycle, which is the most efficient cyclical process possible.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

The equation by which the change of the F.P. is calculated may be proved by a simple application of the Carnot cycle, exactly as in the case of vapour and liquid.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various