SHAPED CAVITY AT INTERFACE BETWEEN JOURNAL BEARING AND ROTOR

An apparatus (20) is provided for a turbine engine (130). This turbine engine apparatus (20) includes a journal bearing (24) extending axially along and circumferentially about an axis (36). The journal bearing (24) extends radially between an inner side (42) and an outer side (44). The journal bearing (24) includes a bore (46), a passage (64) and a groove (70). The bore (46) extends axially within the journal bearing (24) and is formed by the inner side (42). The passage (64) extends radially within the journal bearing (24) and is fluidly coupled with the bore (46) and the groove (70). The groove (70) is arranged at the outer side (44). The groove (70) extends longitudinally within the journal bearing (24) between a first end (86A) and a second end (86B). The groove (70) extends axially within the journal bearing (24) between a first side (82A) and a second side (82B). An axial distance (90) between the first side (82A) and the second side (82B) changes as the groove (70) extends longitudinally between the first end (86A) and the second end (86B).