noun
Uncommon
piston
PIHS-tuhn
Piston (noun) means a cylindrical part that slides back and forth inside a tube, used to compress fluid or transmit motion in an engine or pump. Example: “A worn piston can cause the engine to lose power.”
noun
1
A cylindrical part that slides back and forth inside a tube, used to compress fluid or transmit motion in an engine or pump.
"A worn piston can cause the engine to lose power."
2
A valve mechanism used in some brass instruments to change pitch.
"The trumpeter pressed the pistons in quick succession."
How to use piston
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe moving cylindrical part inside an engine, or a valve on certain brass instruments.
Common pairings
piston engine
piston rings
trumpet piston
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Word forms
- Plural
- pistons
- Third person singular
- pistons
- Past tense
- pistoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A worn _____ can cause the engine to lose power.
Etymology
Borrowed from French piston.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for piston
See all rhymes for piston →Frequently asked questions
What does “piston” mean?
The word “piston” means a cylindrical part that slides back and forth inside a tube, used to compress fluid or transmit motion in an engine or pump. In plain terms, the moving cylindrical part inside an engine, or a valve on certain brass instruments.
How do you pronounce “piston”?
“Piston” is pronounced PIHS-tuhn (/ˈpɪstən/ in IPA).
How do you use “piston” in a sentence?
Here is “piston” used in a sentence: “A worn piston can cause the engine to lose power.”
What part of speech is “piston”?
“Piston” is a noun.
Where does the word “piston” come from?
The word “piston” comes from French. Borrowed from French piston.
Is “piston” a common word?
“Piston” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “piston” have?
“Piston” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cylindrical part that slides back and forth inside a tube, used to compress fluid or transmit motion in an engine or pump.
