diesel-electric

American  

[dee-zuhl-i-lek-trik, -suhl-] / ˈdi zəl ɪˈlɛk trɪk, -səl- /

Or Diesel-electric

adjective

1. 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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diesel-electric British  

noun

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

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adjective

1. of or relating to such a locomotive or system

Etymology

Origin of diesel-electric

First recorded in 1920–25

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

diesel-electric

Navy leaders say shipyard expansion they’ve tracked has “dramatically increased” China’s submarine-production capacity as the country shifts from diesel-electric subs to nuclear ones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

A further four will be constructed in Louisiana, with all six using an Aker Arctic Technology diesel-electric powered design.

From BBC ● Jan. 18, 2026

North Korea has about 20 Romeo-class submarines, which are powered by diesel-electric engines and are obsolete by modern standards, with most other countries operating them only as training vessels.

From Reuters ● Sep. 8, 2023

The submarine shown in state media reports on Friday appears to be a reworked diesel-electric powered Romeo-class Russian submarine — a model dating back to the 1950s.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 8, 2023

These were Foxtrot class diesel-electric subs, fairly outdated by American standards.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

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