往复式发动机（reciprocating engine）亦称活塞发动机（piston engine），是一种利用一个或者多个活塞将压力转换成旋转动能的发动机。

最常用的往复式发动机是利用汽油或者柴油燃料产生压力的。通常都不止一个活塞，每个活塞都在气缸内，燃料－空气混合物被注入其内，然后被点燃。 热气膨胀，推动活塞向后运动。活塞的这种直线运动通过连杆和曲轴转换成圆周运动。这种发动机经常被通称为内燃机，尽管内燃机并不必须包括活塞。

A reciprocating engine, also often known as a piston engine, is a heat engine (usually, although there are also pneumatic and hydraulic reciprocating engines) that uses one or more reciprocating pistons to convert pressure into a rotating motion. This article describes the common features of all types. The main types are: the internal combustion engine, used extensively in motor vehicles; the steam engine, the mainstay of the Industrial Revolution; and the niche application Stirling engine. Internal Combustion engines are further classified in two ways: either a spark-ignition (SI) engine, where the spark plug initiates the combustion; or a compression-ignition (CI) engine, where the air within the cylinder is compressed, thus heating it, so that the heated air ignites fuel that is injected then or earlier.