an early type of steam engine, in which a pivoted beam is vibrated by a vertical steam cylinder at one end, so that it transmits motion to the workload, such as a pump, at the other end
Examples of 'beam engine' in a sentence
beam engine
It is thought to be the oldest beam engine of its kind in the world still in working condition and in its original location.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The smaller, former beam-engine building, 40ft away from the main house, has consent for conversion into a one-bed holiday let.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I, though, head east to visit the pumping station and beam engines that serviced the canal, a role they still perform.