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

Announcing a £1bn investment in a wind turbine project in Hull, which he said had helped create 1,300 local jobs, Sir Keir said the world was standing at a "critical juncture in the climate crisis".

From BBC

A Hull factory will supply wind turbine blades for Scottish Power in a contract worth more than £1bn.

From BBC

Retrofitting might involve measures such as improving your home’s insulation, upgrading the heating system, or installing energy-generating devices such as solar panels, or even a private wind turbine.

From BBC

Because literally every solar panel and wind turbine matters more now than ever before.

From Slate

There was a big drop in the share price of turbine manufacturers on Wednesday, as fears grew that US offshore wind farms would be cancelled by a Trump presidency.

From BBC

Related Words

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