Internal-combustion engines
noun
1.
an engine of one or more working cylinders in which the process of combustion takes place within the cylinders.
noun
1.
a heat engine in which heat is supplied by burning the fuel in the working fluid (usually air)
internal-combustion engine
(ĭn-tûr’nəl-kəm-bŭs’chən)
An engine whose fuel is burned inside the engine itself rather than in an outside furnace or burner. Gasoline and diesel engines are internal-combustion engines, as are gas turbine engines such as turbojets. Compare steam engine.
Any engine powered by burning fuel inside it (for example, a standard automobile engine). Internal-combustion engines normally burn fossil fuels and therefore are a major source of air pollution. (See smog.)
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