rotary engine
Americannoun
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an engine, as a turbine, in which the impelling fluid produces torque directly rather than by acting upon reciprocating parts.
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a revolving radial engine.
noun
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an internal-combustion engine having radial cylinders that rotate about a fixed crankshaft
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an engine, such as a turbine or wankel engine, in which power is transmitted directly to rotating components
Etymology
Origin of rotary engine
First recorded in 1810–20
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
LiquidPiston’s rotary engine is also suited to powering long-range hybrid drones, says Shkolnik.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
Alongside Young’s RX-3 was Barbachan’s red ’72 Mazda RX-2, while Trujillo brought a vintage Mazda rotary engine pickup truck to the mix, as did Cabral with his ’74 sky-blue REPU.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2025
Mazda said that its prized rotary engine, introduced more than 50 years ago, was being adapted for electric vehicles.
From Seattle Times • May 28, 2024
When he wasn’t looking for a job, Bruce worked on inventions—for 17 years on a design for a rotary engine that contained only three moving parts.
From Time • Sep. 8, 2016
After three months the rotary engine was finished to the inventor's complete satisfaction.
From James Nasmyth: Engineer; an autobiography by Smiles, Samuel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
