turbine

American  

[tur-bin, -bahyn] / ˈtɜr bɪn, -baɪn /

noun

turbines plural

1. any of various machines having a rotor, usually with vanes or blades, driven by the pressure, momentum, or reactive thrust of a moving fluid, as steam, water, hot gases, or air, either occurring in the form of free jets or as a fluid passing through and entirely filling a housing around the rotor.

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turbine British  

/ ˈtɜːbɪn, -baɪn /

noun

1. any of various types of machine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted into mechanical energy by causing a bladed rotor to rotate. The moving fluid may be water, steam, air, or combustion products of a fuel See also reaction turbine impulse turbine gas turbine

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turbine Scientific  

/ tûr′bĭn,-bīn′ /

1. Any of various machines in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid, such as water, steam, or gas, is converted to rotary motion. Turbines are used in boat propulsion systems, hydroelectric power generators, and jet aircraft engines.

2. See also gas turbine

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• turbines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of turbine

1815–25; < French < Latin turbin-, stem of turbō something that spins, e.g., top, spindle, whirlwind; akin to turbid

Explanation

A turbine is a device used to generate energy as a flowing liquid causes a bladed rotor to move around. A water wheel is a turbine. There are many ways we get energy, such as fossil fuels and solar power. Another is a gadget called a turbine. A turbine uses the power of water (or another liquid) to move a wheel, generating energy. A windmill is also an example of a turbine, though it uses wind instead of liquid. Other turbines use gas or steam to generate energy. Ever since the 1800s, engineers have used many sorts of turbines to help satisfy our ever-increasing energy needs.

Example Sentences

He described turbine blades as the “brake pads of the turbine industry,” because they are the parts that wear out fastest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026

Thousands of tonnes of wind turbine blade material are expected to require replacement by 2030, leading to the question of what to do with them.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2026

"First of all, there were difficulties with transporting the wind turbine components," said Yuriy Fedak, a director at Eco-Optima.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

The plans include a large wharf with a staging area for the turbine components, plus a “wet storage” area for the assembled units in the water waiting to be towed away, among other elements.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

Amelia Earhart nearly lost her raccoon coat to a wind tunnel’s giant turbine while touring the lab.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

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