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

These minerals and the lithium could, if recovered, be reused for green technologies such as electric car batteries or in wind turbines, external.

From BBC

With another Ukrainian winter arriving, the vast turbine hall is full of activity.

From BBC

“Because it’s a gearbox, the turbine can run very fast, much more efficiently, the fan can run slower and be much bigger,“ explains Simon Burr, a director at Rolls-Royce.

From BBC

Sardinians are quick to remind visitors that this crisis is more than a handful of wind turbines tilting above an archaeological site.

From Salon

In pursuit of clean energy goals and to reduce atmospheric carbon emissions, developers are increasingly exploring building wind turbines in the waters off the East Coast of the United States.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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