diesel

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A fuel derived from petroleum (or other oils) but heavier than gasoline/petrol. Used to power diesel engines which burn this fuel using the heat produced when air is compressed.
2. (countable) A vehicle powered by a diesel engine.
3. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable) Ellipsis of diesel engine.
4. (countable, slang, uncountable) A rider who has an even energy output, without bursts of speed.
5. (UK, countable, slang, uncountable) Synonym of snakebite and black.
6. (countable, slang, uncountable) A particular cannabis hybrid.

Verb

1. To ignite a substance by using the heat generated by compression.
2. For a spark-ignition internal combustion engine to continue running after the electrical current to the spark plugs has been turned off. This occurs when there's enough heat in the combustion chamber to ignite the air and fuel mixture without a spark, the same way that heat and pressure cause ignition in a diesel engine.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈdiːzəl/

Etymology

From German Diesel, named after inventor Rudolf Diesel, who developed a heavy-duty engine in Germany (1892–1897) and perfected it throughout his life.

Synonyms

diesel engine

diesel fuel

diesel motor

diesel oil

locomotive

shunter

solar

oil engine

compression-ignition engine

Translations

gasóleo

gazole

diesel

diesel

Diesel

gasoil

gasolio

diesel

diesel

diésel

gasoil

diésel

ντίζελ

dièsel

diesel

Sentences

Central station has no electrified lines being served only by diesel trains .