what is the difference between engine and machine

what is the basic differnce between engine and machine

hi Sam,
I would say broadly an engine is a power source and a machine is a power sink [ does the work using the available power]

For instance, engineer an engine produces energy or power whereby a machine consumes it.

~a engine runs a machine

A machine is a very general term for any device that manages energy to perform a function. It can be mechanical, electrical, biological, etc. An engine is a type of machine.

Look up the definitions, this is why we have dictionaries.

In what context are you asking, exactly?

from Wiki - In common usage, an engine burns or otherwise consumes fuel, and is differentiated from an electric machine (i.e., electric motor) that derives power without changing the composition of matter.[3] A heat engine may also serve as a prime mover, a component that transforms the flow or changes in pressure of a fluid into mechanical energy.[4] An automobile powered by an internal combustion engine may make use of various motors and pumps, but ultimately all such devices derive their power from the engine.

Also found this interesting...

Originally an engine was a mechanical device that converted force into motion. Military devices such as catapults, trebuchets and battering rams are referred to as siege engines. The term "gin" as in cotton gin is recognised as a short form of the Old French word engin, in turn from the Latin ingenium, related to ingenious. Most devices used in the industrial revolution were referred to as engines, and this is where the steam engine gained its name.

I like this definition


According to 1 all engines are machines but not all machine are engines.

#2 covers things like the Babbage engine