steam engine
die Dampfmaschine, die Dampfmaschinen
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steam engine
A heat engine that converts the energy of hot water vapor into mechanical motion. Its invention was a decisive driving force of the Industrial Revolution.
Die erste kommerziell erfolgreiche Dampfmaschine wurde von James Watt entscheidend verbessert.
The first commercially successful steam engine was decisively improved by James Watt.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Dampfmaschinen |
| genitive | der Dampfmaschine |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Dampfmaschine | die Dampfmaschinen |
| accusative | die Dampfmaschine | die Dampfmaschinen |
| dative | der Dampfmaschine | den Dampfmaschinen |
| genitive | der Dampfmaschine | der Dampfmaschinen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is a typically German compound made up of 'der Dampf' (steam) and 'die Maschine' (machine). The meaning is directly understandable: a machine that works with steam.
Das Museum stellt eine alte Dampfmaschine aus.
The museum is exhibiting an old steam engine.
The steam engine is inseparably connected with the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries. In texts about this era, the word is of central importance.
Die Erfindung der Dampfmaschine veränderte die Arbeitswelt für immer.
The invention of the steam engine changed the world of work forever.
The word element 'Dampf-' (steam) is also used in other words to describe the type of propulsion. Examples are 'Dampflokomotive' (steam locomotive, short: 'Dampflok') or 'Dampfschiff' (steamship).
Früher fuhren große Dampfschiffe über den Atlantik.
In the past, large steamships crossed the Atlantic.
