steam engine

noun

1. an engine worked by steam, typically one in which a sliding piston in a cylinder is moved by the expansive action of the steam generated in a boiler.

steam-engine

noun

1. an engine that uses the thermal energy of steam to produce mechanical work, esp one in which steam from a boiler is expanded in a cylinder to drive a reciprocating piston

steam engine

1. An engine in which the energy of hot steam is converted into mechanical power, especially an engine in which the force of expanding steam is used to drive one or more pistons. The source of the steam is typically external to the part of the machine that converts the steam energy into mechanical energy.
2. Compare internal-combustion engine

Other Words From

• steam-engine adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of steam engine¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Instead, technology investments must be combined with even larger investments in new business processes, skills, and other types of intangible capital before breakthroughs as diverse as the steam engine or computers ultimately boost productivity.

From MIT Technology Review

The engineers of the 18th and 19th centuries did not wait until physicists had sorted out the laws of thermodynamics before they built steam engines.

From Nautilus

Another significant counterfactual property of physical systems, central to thermodynamics, is that a steam engine is possible.

From Nautilus

The possibility of building a steam engine, which existed long before the first one was actually built, is a counterfactual.

From Nautilus

For example, the whole field of thermodynamics, and the idea of entropy, arose in part from trying to build better steam engines.

From Nautilus

And the steam engine that powered the reciprocating motion of the sphere was located in a separate room from the patient.

From The Daily Beast

My guess is that the death of Paterno will pump that steam engine even more.

From The Daily Beast

His letter of a few months before reveals the facility with which he moulded the steam-engine to his requirements.

From Project Gutenberg

I am very glad you have succeeded with your portable steam-engine, and am persuaded they will be more and more adopted.

From Project Gutenberg

The economy of heat in smelting furnaces and in the arated steam-engine were bold means to large results.

From Project Gutenberg

The drawing shows the simplicity of parts of this highly expansive steam-engine, beginning the up-stroke with steam of 100 lbs.

From Project Gutenberg

This most simple steam-engine combined in the greatest degree the two elements of expansion and momentum.

From Project Gutenberg