external-combustion engine

Definitions of external-combustion engine

1. noun

   a heat engine in which ignition occurs outside the chamber (cylinder or turbine) in which heat is converted to mechanical energy
   types:

   steam engine

   external-combustion engine in which heat is used to raise steam which either turns a turbine or forces a piston to move up and down in a cylinder

   type of:

   heat engine

   any engine that makes use of heat to do work