steam engine

noun

1. an engine worked by steam, typically one in which a sliding piston in a cylinder is moved by the expansive action of the steam generated in a boiler.

steam-engine

noun

1. an engine that uses the thermal energy of steam to produce mechanical work, esp one in which steam from a boiler is expanded in a cylinder to drive a reciprocating piston

steam engine

1. An engine in which the energy of hot steam is converted into mechanical power, especially an engine in which the force of expanding steam is used to drive one or more pistons. The source of the steam is typically external to the part of the machine that converts the steam energy into mechanical energy.
2. Compare internal-combustion engine

Other Words From

• steam-engine adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of steam engine¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Williams’s grandfather liked Western classical music, so she learned to play sonatas with an elegant touch; her stepfather liked boogie-woogie, so she developed a steam-engine left hand; her uncle liked Irish folk songs, so she memorized that repertoire, too.

From New York Times

But trains continued to run by switching from electric power to steam-engine power, which had been readied as a backup.

From Washington Times

During these years he engaged in a number of different steam-engine experiments, the high point of which was the construction of a steam-powered carriage which ran around the floor of his parlour.

From Literature

Wall-to-wall cable news coverage was like a day-long civics lesson, with the 538 electors casting their ballots in a formal process designed for an era of fountain pens and steam-engine travel.

From Washington Post

He used to do the laundry, but now there’s far too much of it and we both end up feeding the washing machine daily, like a pair of steam-engine stokers.

From The Guardian