turbine

[ tur-bin, -bahyn ]

noun

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.

turbine

/ 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

turbine

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbine¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbine¹

C19: from French, from Latin turbō whirlwind, from turbāre to throw into confusion

Example Sentences

When it comes to sustainability, they can be found in wind turbines and solar farms.

From BBC

Green MP Ellie Chowns said steel is integral to the "green industrial transformation" - including making wind turbines, trains and tracks - and nationalisation would give the UK the control it needs to renew the industry.

From BBC

Spain exports a lot of gas turbines to the US, alongside tonnes of olive oil.

From BBC

"Our fears are it could be packaged off or further broken up. Our fears are that people might want to buy it simply to put wind turbines on it," he said.

From BBC

Phillip's mine is plugged directly into a hydro-electric power plant that channels some of the Zambezi's torrent through enormous turbines to generate continuous, clean electricity.

From BBC

Related Words

• appliance
• diesel
• generator
• instrument
• motor
• power plant
• tool
• transformer
• weapon