rocket engine

noun

a reaction engine that produces a thrust due to an exhaust consisting entirely of material, as oxidizer, fuel, and inert matter, that has been carried with the engine in the vehicle it propels, none of the propellant being derived from the medium through which the vehicle moves.

Also called rocket, rocket motor.

Origin of rocket engine

1930-35

Examples from the web for rocket engine

Both a rocket engine with a temperamental record and an airframe of revolutionary design and construction had to be proved safe.

Virgin Galactic’s Flight Path to Disaster: A Clash of High Risk and Hyperbole Clive Irving October 31, 2014
After tests this January, it was decided to the fuel powering the rocket engine should have its rubber removed.

SpaceShipTwo Flew on Untested Rocket Dave Majumdar, Clive Irving October 30, 2014

British Dictionary definitions for rocket engine

rocket engine

noun

a reaction engine in which a fuel and oxidizer are burnt in a combustion chamber, the products of combustion expanding through a nozzle and producing thrust Also called rocket motor

rocket engine in Science

rocket engine

An engine used to produce a jet of hot gases to propel a rocket. The jet is produced by combustion of a fuel with other chemicals stored in the rocket. Since they do not rely on the oxygen in the atmosphere for combustion, rocket engines can operate in space. Compare turbojet.