diesel engine

noun

1. a compression-ignition engine in which a spray of fuel, introduced into air compressed to a temperature of approximately 1000° F (538° C), ignites at a virtually constant pressure.

diesel engine

noun

1. a type of internal-combustion engine in which atomized fuel oil is sprayed into the cylinder and ignited by compression alone

diesel engine

1. An internal-combustion engine in which the fuel oil is ignited by the heat of air that has been highly compressed in the cylinder, rather than by a spark. Due to the need for the engine to withstand very high pressures, diesel engines are relatively heavy; however, they are relatively fuel-efficient, especially when running at low power.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diesel engine¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

"You couldn't tell the difference of a car with a petrol or diesel engine, I would like to say the same about an electric car," he said.

From BBC

Because drayage trucks concentrate fume-pumping diesel engines in a tight location, the air quality in residential areas adjacent to ports suffers.

From Los Angeles Times

In the last decade, several car makers admitted to lying about the emissions produced by their diesel engines.

From BBC

"Little by little taxing petrol and diesel engine cars more, so they have become a lot more expensive to purchase, whereas electric cars have been exempted from taxes."

From BBC

The company currently makes diesel engines for vans at its Dagenham factory in Essex.

From BBC

Related Words

• diesel