Definition
A reciprocating aircraft engine fitted with a turbocharger — a device that uses the engine's exhaust gases to drive a turbine, which in turn spins a compressor that forces additional air into the engine's induction system. This compressed air allows the engine to maintain sea-level (or higher) manifold pressure at altitudes where a normally aspirated engine would lose power due to thinning air.
Plain English
An engine that uses its own exhaust to pump extra air in, so it can keep making strong power high up where the air is thin.
Context Anchor
Seen in high-altitude operations, engine power management, and discussions of how to operate the throttle and monitor engine limits in a turbocharged airplane.
Derivation
Turbo comes from the Latin turbo, meaning a spinning or whirling thing. A turbocharger is literally a 'spin-charger' — exhaust gas spins a turbine that charges (pressurizes) the incoming air.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains sea-level horsepower at altitude, improving climb rate, cruise speed, and useful load capability over mountains or in high-density-altitude conditions.
Analogy
It is like helping a small fire burn stronger by blowing more air into it. The turbocharger does something similar for the engine: it helps the engine breathe when the outside air is thin.
Grounding Statement
As the airplane climbs into thinner air, the turbocharger compresses that thin air so the engine can still get enough air to make useful power.
Intuition Check
A turbocharged engine is not a jet engine or turbine engine. It is usually a piston engine that uses an exhaust-spun device to push more air into the cylinders.
Example Sentence 1
Because the Bonanza had a turbocharged engine, the pilot was able to cruise comfortably at 18,000 feet without any noticeable loss of power.
Example Sentence 2
Before a high-altitude trip, the instructor reviewed the leaning procedure specific to the turbocharged engine.