turbine
[ tur-bin, -bahyn ]
/ ˈtɜr bɪn, -baɪn /
noun
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.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Compare impulse turbine, reaction turbine.
Origin of turbine
1815–25; <French <Latin turbin-, stem of turbō something that spins, e.g., top, spindle, whirlwind; akin to turbid
Words nearby turbine
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for turbine
British Dictionary definitions for turbine
turbine
/ (ˈtɜːbɪn, -baɪn) /
noun
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 fuelSee also reaction turbine, impulse turbine, gas turbine
Word Origin for turbine
C19: from French, from Latin turbō whirlwind, from turbāre to throw into confusion
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for turbine
turbine
[ tûr′bĭn, -bīn′ ]
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. See also gas turbine.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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