Which type of engine is commonly referred to as an internal combustion engine?

The term "internal combustion engine" typically refers to any engine that generates power by burning fuel within the engine itself, as opposed to an external process. The most common representation of an internal combustion engine is indeed found in car engines.

Car engines utilize a variety of fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, and they operate by igniting the fuel-air mixture within the engine cylinders. This combustion produces pressure that drives pistons, ultimately converting chemical energy into mechanical energy to power the vehicle.

While diesel engines are a specific type of internal combustion engine, the broader category encompasses various engines used in different vehicles and machinery. Car engines illustrate the principle of internal combustion in a practical and widely recognized form, making them synonymous with the term in everyday conversation. Thus, referring to a car engine as an internal combustion engine aligns with standard terminology in engineering and automotive literature.