diesel-electric

or Die·sel-e·lec·tric

[ dee-zuh l-i-lek-trik, -suh l- ]
/ ˈdi zəl ɪˈlɛk trɪk, -səl- /

adjective

having an electric motor powered directly by an electric generator or by batteries charged by the generator, with the generator being driven by a diesel engine: a diesel-electric locomotive.

Origin of diesel-electric

First recorded in 1920–25

Example sentences from the Web for diesel-electric

British Dictionary definitions for diesel-electric

diesel-electric

noun

a locomotive fitted with a diesel engine driving an electric generator that feeds electric traction motors

adjective

of or relating to such a locomotive or system