diesel-electric

or Die·sel-e·lec·tric

[ dee-zuhl-i-lek-trik, -suhl- ]

/ ˈdi zəl ɪˈlɛk trɪk, -səl- /

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adjective

having an electric motor powered directly by an electric generator or by batteries charged by the generator, with the generator being driven by a diesel engine: a diesel-electric locomotive.

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Origin of diesel-electric

First recorded in 1920–25

Words nearby diesel-electric

dieresis, Dies, Dies Committee, diesel, diesel cycle, diesel-electric, diesel engine, diesel fuel, diesel-hydraulic, dieseling, dieselize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use diesel-electric in a sentence

The TVA, a federally owned and chartered electric power provider, is a New Deal legacy just like Social Security.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern|Lloyd Green|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Nestled in the hills are small market towns like Buleda, dominated by Baluch who make a living smuggling diesel and drugs.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Make ‘The Chew’s’ Carla Hall’s Sticky Toffee Pudding|Carla Hall|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To that end, the budget postpones federal phase-out of incandescent electric bulbs.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

On Thursday, Russian bloggers published pictures of empty shelves in stores that once sold electric goods.
After His Disastrous Annual Press Conference, Putin Needs A Hug|Anna Nemtsova|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Like an electric shock, the well-known chords of the Tragala aroused his hearers—every one crowded round the singer.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
The effect of his drumming before the Café de la Loge was electric.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
"I wish the old homes of England had electric lights," thought Miss Otis, with a sigh.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Above, great standard electric lamps shed their white glare upon the eddying throng casting a myriad of grotesque shadows.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Not one of the early electric actions proved either quick or reliable, and all were costly to install and maintain.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller

British Dictionary definitions for diesel-electric

diesel-electric

noun

a locomotive fitted with a diesel engine driving an electric generator that feeds electric traction motors

adjective

of or relating to such a locomotive or system

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012