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A device that converts the potential energy that exists as pressure in steam, and converts that to mechanical force. Early examples were the steam locomotive trains, and steam ships that relied on these engines for movement. The Industrial Revolution came about primarily because of the steam engine. The bulkiness of the steam engine has made it unsuitable for automobiles which are generally powered by internal combustion engines.

The first steam device was invented by Heron of Alexandria, a Greek, before 300BC, but never utilized as anything other than a toy. While designs had been created by varous people in the meanwhile, the first practical steam engine was patented by James Watt, a scotish inventor, in 1769. Steam engines are of various types but most are reciprocal piston or turbine devices.

The strength of the steam engine for modern purposes is in its ability to convert raw heat into mechanical work. Unlike the internal combustion engine, the steam engine is not particular about the source of heat. Most notably, without the use of a steam engine nuclear energy could not be harnessed for useful work, as a nuclear reactor does not directly generate either mechanical work or electrical energy - the reactor itself does nothing but sit there and get hot. It is the steam engine which converts that heat into useful work.