In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (also known as a turbo or a turbosupercharger) is a forced induction device that compresses the intake air, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement.
Turbochargers are distinguished from superchargers in that a turbocharger is powered by the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases, whereas a supercharger is mechanically powered, usually by a belt from the engine's crankshaft. However, up until the mid-20th century, a turbocharger was called a "turbosupercharger" and was considered a type of supercharger.
