diesel engine

American  

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.

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diesel engine British  

noun

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

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diesel engine Scientific  

/ dē′zəl /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of diesel engine

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Later this year, the car will take to the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to try to break the current diesel engine record of 350.092 mph - set by JCB in 2006.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Unlike a traditional gasoline or diesel engine, it has no pistons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

"I feel like I'm more of a diesel engine sometimes where I need to get going first, then at some point I'll start playing good tennis. I have to play a preparation tournament."

From Barron's • Jan. 3, 2026

The train ride — a one-eighth scale model of a diesel engine — first arrived at Descanso Gardens as a seasonal attraction in the 1980s, and became a permanent feature in 1996.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2024

The windows are down, and the diesel engine growls and rumbles when we stop at the red lights.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

Related Words

• diesel