piston
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.”
How to use piston
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe moving cylindrical part inside an engine, or a valve on certain brass instruments.
Word forms
pistoned past tense, pistons plural, pistons singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A worn _____ can cause the engine to lose power.
Etymology
Borrowed from French piston.
Synonyms
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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.