Stirling engine

American  

noun

1. an external-combustion engine in which heat from outside the cylinders causes air confined in the cylinders to expand and drive the pistons.

---

Stirling engine British  

noun

1. an external-combustion engine that uses air or an inert gas as the working fluid operating on a highly efficient thermodynamic cycle (the Stirling cycle )

---

Etymology

Origin of Stirling engine

1895–1900; after Robert Stirling (died 1878), Scottish engineer

Example Sentences

In a typical setup, one side of a Stirling engine is kept warm while the other side is cooled.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

The device is based on a Stirling engine, a type of machine designed to convert heat into mechanical motion.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

And there will be stunning array of electrical and mechanical engineering, from the world's oldest Stirling engine to the tip of a modern wind-turbine blade.

From Nature • Jun. 28, 2016

With the Beacon 10, says Kamen, “you don’t have to feel guilty heating up the pool.” That’s because of the highly efficient nature of the Stirling engine.

From Forbes • Jul. 2, 2014

In 1972, impressed by the Dutch results, Ford signed an agreement with Philips for joint development of a Stirling engine for passenger cars.

From Time Magazine Archive