Words / B1

ENJ-in/ˈendʒɪn/

An engine is the part of a vehicle or machine that produces power: a car engine; switch off the engine; engine failure. A motor is close, often smaller or electrical; a machine is the whole device. Engineer is a person, not the part. Search engine (Google etc.) is a second B1 meaning. Engine room is the place on a ship.

Meaning

The part of a vehicle or machine that produces power to make it move or work.

Examples

• “The car would not start because of a problem with the engine.”
• “The engine overheated on the motorway.”
• “This search engine finds academic articles.”

Good to know

car / jet engine. switch off the engine. Person: engineer. Smaller / electric: motor. Web: search engine.

Near in meaning

motor

New