four-cycle

American  

[fawr-sahy-kuhl, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌsaɪ kəl, ˈfoʊr- /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to an internal-combustion engine in which a complete cycle in each cylinder requires four strokes, one to draw in air or an air-fuel mixture, one to compress it, one to ignite it and do work, and one to scavenge the cylinder.

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four-cycle British  

adjective

1. Equivalent term (in Britain and certain other countries): four-stroke.  relating to or designating an internal-combustion engine in which the piston makes four strokes for every explosion Compare two-stroke

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Etymology

Origin of four-cycle

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

For this reason, standard voltage generating sets without battery are usually of two or four cylinders when of the four-cycle type.

From Electricity for the farm Light, heat and power by inexpensive methods from the water wheel or farm engine by Anderson, Frederick Irving

Between making the first four-cycle engine of the Otto type and the start on a double cylinder I had made a great many experimental engines out of tubing.

From My Life and Work by Ford, Henry

This treatise outlines fully the operation of two- and four-cycle power plants and all ignition, carburetion and lubrication systems in detail.

From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Pag?, Victor Wilfred

The greater number of engines used in automobiles to-day are of the kind known as the Otto cycle, or four-cycle, engine.

From The Story of Great Inventions by Burns, Elmer Ellsworth

It shows clearly all parts of a typical four-cylinder gasoline engine of the four-cycle type.

From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Pag?, Victor Wilfred