motor v. engine

In a broad sense, motors and engines are both machines that convert various forms of energy into motion. More pedantically, a motor is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, and an engine is a device that converts fuel into mechanical energy.

Planes, trains, and automobiles can be powered by many types of engines, including jet engines, steam engines, and Wankel engines. Motors are used to drive things like fans, blenders, power windows, and battery-powered toys.

How Stuff Works on electric motors

How Stuff Works on car engines