engined
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɛndʒɪnd/
US
- /ˈɛndʒənd/
Description
- Powered by an engine
- Fitted with a motor
- Having a certain engine type
When something is "engined," it means it has an engine or is powered by one. The word is most often used in compound forms such as "single-engined," "twin-engined," "rear-engined," or "diesel-engined." You are much more likely to see it used for aircraft, cars, boats, and other machines than as a general everyday description. It usually points to the kind, number, or position of the engine rather than simply saying that the machine can run.
The term "engined" describes something that is fitted with an engine or powered by one. In real use, however, the word most often appears as part of a compound adjective rather than on its own. English speakers commonly say "single-engined aircraft," "twin-engined plane," "rear-engined car," or "steam-engined machine." In these examples, the word helps explain the number, type, or placement of the engine.
This matters because the standalone form is less common and can sound unusual in plain conversation. A person would rarely say that a car is simply "engined" unless the context already makes the contrast clear, such as comparing engined aircraft with gliders. More often, the word appears when a writer wants to be precise about what sort of engine a vehicle or machine has.
The word can also be used more broadly for any machine that runs by means of an engine, but that use is less frequent. So the safest way to understand it is this: it is a descriptive word for something powered by an engine, and it is especially common in combinations that tell you more about that engine.
Examples
- 1
Flight training
She learned to fly in a single-engined aircraft.
Pattern
number/type + -engined
having that number or type of engine: single-engined, twin-engined, jet-engined
- 2
Rescue aircraft
The rescue team arrived in a twin-engined helicopter.
- 3
Airline technology
By the 1960s, many airlines were replacing piston-engined planes with newer jet-engined models.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- engined