Turbocharge Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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turbocharge

[ˈtɜːrboʊˌtʃɑːrdʒ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

enhancing performance

To turbocharge means to enhance or increase the performance, efficiency, or speed of something, particularly in reference to engines or systems. It can also refer to significantly improving an idea, process, or project, allowing it to achieve greater effectiveness.

Synonyms

accelerate, amplify, boost, enhance, supercharge.

Examples of usage

  • The engineers built a new system to turbocharge the vehicle's performance.
  • Companies often look for ways to turbocharge their marketing strategies.
  • His innovative ideas helped turbocharge the team's productivity.
Context #2 | Noun

engine modification

The term turbocharge can also refer to the installation of a turbocharger on an engine. A turbocharger is a device that forces more air into the combustion chamber, thereby increasing the engine's power output and efficiency.

Synonyms

boost, supercharger, turbo.

Examples of usage

  • The car came with a factory-installed turbocharge for better power delivery.
  • He decided to upgrade his engine with an aftermarket turbocharge.
  • The performance car featured advanced turbocharge technology.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Turbocharging increases the power output of an engine without significantly increasing its size, offering efficient speed enhancements.
  • In physics, 'turbocharge' can also refer to enhancing energy transfer in systems, like accelerating particles in accelerators.

Pop Culture

  • The word has permeated various forms of media, indicating enhancements, like 'turbocharging' action scenes in movies with faster editing.
  • In video games, 'turbocharge' often denotes power-ups that temporarily boost a player's abilities for added excitement.

Technology

  • In digital platforms, 'turbocharging' often refers to optimizing algorithms to improve processing speed or efficiency in software.
  • Some internet services offer 'turbocharged' speeds, allowing users faster browsing by compressing web pages.

Business

  • In the business world, 'turbocharge' is used to describe strategies that significantly enhance performance, productivity, or market outreach.
  • Marketing campaigns often use 'turbocharge' to suggest accelerating brand growth and customer engagement.

Origin of 'turbocharge'

Main points about word origin

  • The term combines 'turbo', derived from the Latin 'turbo', meaning 'spinning top', and 'charge', which refers to adding energy.
  • Originally, 'turbo' referred to mechanical devices in vehicles that increase speed by forcing more air into the engine.

The word 'turbocharge' is formed from the prefix 'turbo-', derived from the Latin 'turbo' meaning 'whirl' or 'vortex', and the verb 'charge'. The concept originated in the early 20th century, particularly with the development of automotive technology. Turbocharging was initially used in aircraft engines during World War I to improve altitude performance. The application spread to automotive engines in the 1960s, and it became popular in the following decades as manufacturers sought to enhance engine performance while maintaining fuel efficiency. The contemporary usage of 'turbocharge' has broadened beyond mechanical systems to encompass any scenario where enhancement or acceleration is sought, reflecting the word's versatility in modern language.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,799, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.