Phrase guide

water engine

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An engine moved by water.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Examples

  • Near-synonym: watermill
  • In those days, grist mills were powered by water engines, wind engines, or horse engines.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: watermill

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An engine to raise water, often for mine drainage.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Examples

  • Near-synonym: water pump
  • In the earliest years after James Watt developed his steam engine, most of the capital that bought his engines came from mine owners who used them to power water engines for mine drainage.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: water pump

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A machine for extinguishing fires with water.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Examples

  • Near-synonym: fire engine (synonymous in the pre–motor-truck era)
  • In 1887, several businesses in this town pooled the funds necessary to buy a state-of-the-art water engine and a large new set of leather buckets for the bucket brigade.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fire engine

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.