turbine
[ tur-bin, -bahyn ]
/ ˈtɜr bɪn, -baɪn /
noun
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.
Compare
impulse turbine,
reaction turbine.
Origin of turbine
1815–25; < French < Latin
turbin-, stem of
turbō something that spins, e.g., top, spindle, whirlwind; akin to
turbid
Words nearby turbine
Example sentences from the Web for turbine
British Dictionary definitions for turbine
turbine
/ (ˈtɜːbɪn, -baɪn) /
noun
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
Word Origin for turbine
C19: from French, from Latin
turbō whirlwind, from
turbāre to throw into confusion
Scientific definitions for turbine
turbine
[ tûr′bĭn, -bīn′ ]
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. See also gas turbine.