Steam Engine

Definition

A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. It was fundamental to the Industrial Revolution's changes in transport and manufacturing.

Related terms

Industrial Revolution: A period of major industrialization that took place during the late 1700s and early 1800s where new manufacturing processes were introduced, including the use of steam engines.

Locomotive: A powered rail vehicle used for pulling trains - these often used steam engines in the past.

James Watt: An inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine were fundamental to changes brought by the Industrial Revolution.