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• steam engine
  steam engine

  noun

  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
  steam-engine

  noun

  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

American  

noun

• steam engines
  plural

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.

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steam-engine British  

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

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steam engine Scientific  

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• steam-engine
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• steam engines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of steam engine

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

steam engine steam-engine

"From my point of view, this is an industrial revolution, almost like the introduction of engines or, back then, the steam engine," he said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026

James Watt's steam engine is one famous example, but the same basic concept remains central to modern transportation and electricity production, powering cars, ships, planes and many power plants.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

It was the most consequential technology since the steam engine made energy cheap.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Thanks to some daring industrial espionage, the steam engine finally got into American hands, and offered investors opportunities in mills, foundries, canals, and especially railroads.

From Barron's ● Jan. 13, 2026

The first great, practical achievement of the new science was Newcomen’s steam engine of 1712—the very engine Swift was presumably mocking when he complained about mills being built where there were no rivers.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

But trains continued to run by switching from electric power to steam-engine power, which had been readied as a backup.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 16, 2022

When the mine was in use, this shaft contained a pipe and miners employed steam-engine power to pump water out of the tunnels.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 17, 2018

Earlier this month he released “On My Way to You,” a collection of originals and standards, many of them pumped with extra muscle and steam-engine momentum, performed with a trio.

From New York Times ● Jun. 28, 2018

Mr. Wendel is a tenor saxophonist of cool, even tone and steam-engine momentum.

From New York Times ● Feb. 22, 2018

During these years he engaged in a number of different steam-engine experiments, the high point of which was the construction of a steam-powered carriage which ran around the floor of his parlour.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton