Automotive Engineering Vocabulary

noun the lowest point or level

verb to reach the lowest point or level before stabilizing or improving

• The economy is expected to bottom out by the end of the year.
• I think the stock prices will bottom out soon.
• I heard that sales are going to bottom out next month.
• After facing many challenges, she felt like she had finally bottomed out.

noun a forced entry into a building or vehicle, typically for the purpose of theft

verb to enter a building or vehicle forcibly in order to commit a crime or cause damage

preposition used to indicate the action of entering forcibly into a building or vehicle

• The police are investigating a break in at the jewelry store.
• Did you hear about the break in at the convenience store last night?
• There was a break in at the frat house over the weekend.
• She felt like someone was trying to break in to her thoughts during the therapy session.

noun something that has a depressing or inhibiting effect

• The damper on the chimney helps regulate the airflow in the fireplace.
• Don't forget to close the damper before starting a fire.
• I accidentally left the damper open and now the room is filled with smoke.
• The bad news put a damper on our celebration.

adjective able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; sturdy; lasting

• The durable material used in the construction of the bridge ensures its long-lasting strength and stability.
• I bought a durable backpack for my hiking trip so it can withstand rough conditions.
• These shoes are so durable, they can handle anything you throw at them.
• Her love for him was like a durable bond that could not be easily broken.

verb past tense and past participle of fit

adjective describing something that is the right size or shape for a particular purpose

• The tailor fitted the suit perfectly to the client's measurements.
• I finally found a dress that fitted me well.
• I got a new jacket that is so fitted, it makes me look sleek.
• The pieces of the puzzle fitted together seamlessly to reveal the hidden message.

noun a branch of science and engineering concerned with the practical applications of fluid mechanics, especially in relation to machines that use liquids

• The engineer explained the intricate workings of the hydraulics system in the aircraft.
• I don't understand how the hydraulics in this car work, do you?
• I heard that dude is a pro at fixing hydraulics in lowriders.
• The company's financial success was like a well-oiled machine, with the hydraulics of their business strategy running smoothly.

noun a type of propulsion in which a jet of fluid is used to propel a vehicle forward

• Jet propulsion is the method of creating thrust by expelling high-velocity jets of gas.
• Planes with jet propulsion can fly really fast.
• That car has some serious jet propulsion under the hood.
• Her determination was like jet propulsion, propelling her towards her goals at full speed.

noun a sudden strong feeling or shock

verb to push or shake with a sudden sharp movement

• The sudden jolt of the earthquake caused structural damage to the building.
• I spilled my coffee when the train made a jolt.
• That roller coaster gave me a jolt of adrenaline!
• The unexpected news gave her a jolt of realization about her life choices.

noun a small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt

verb to make someone or something more excited or nervous

adverb in a way that increases excitement or nervousness

• Before playing the piano, make sure to key up by stretching your fingers and wrists.
• I always key up before a big game by listening to my favorite pump-up playlist.
• Let's key up before hitting the club tonight with some pre-game shots!
• The team needs to key up their defense if they want to win the championship.

noun a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into a lock and turned to open or close it

verb to provide a lock with a key to operate it

adjective of crucial importance; central or essential

• The key to success is hard work and dedication.
• The key to acing the exam is studying the practice questions.
• The key to throwing a great party is having good vibes and good music.
• Communication is the key that unlocks the door to understanding in any relationship.

noun the act of injecting drugs directly into a vein

verb to inject drugs directly into a vein

• The doctor advised against mainlining medication as it can have serious side effects.
• I heard some people are mainlining energy drinks to stay awake during exams.
• He was caught mainlining at the party last night.
• She was mainlining adrenaline as she prepared for her big presentation.

verb to severely damage or mutilate, often beyond recognition

• The machine mangled the metal beyond recognition.
• I accidentally mangled my scarf in the washing machine.
• The car crash mangled the bumper pretty bad.
• His words were so twisted and mangled that no one could understand his true intentions.

noun a device used to control the operation of a machine or system from a distance

verb to pass on or transmit (information, a message, etc.) to someone else

• The relay race requires each team member to pass the baton to the next runner.
• Make sure you don't drop the relay baton during the race!
• I'll be the anchor leg in the relay, so don't worry, we got this.
• The teacher acted as a relay between the students and the principal, conveying their concerns.

noun a period of time spent in a particular place or way

verb to have a brief or unexpected encounter with someone or something

• The new software update caused a run in the system, resulting in multiple errors.
• I heard there was a run in at the store last night, did you see what happened?
• There was a run in between the two rival gangs at the party last weekend.
• Their differing opinions often lead to a run in during meetings.

noun a process or material used to make a room or building resistant to sound transmission

• The soundproofing in this conference room is top-notch, ensuring privacy during important meetings.
• I added some soundproofing to my home office so I can focus better while working from home.
• I heard the new club has great soundproofing, so the music doesn't bother the neighbors.
• Emotional barriers can act as soundproofing, keeping us protected from external negativity.

noun the quality of being strong or robust

adjective sturdy (related to sturdiness)

• The sturdiness of the bridge was tested by engineers before opening it to the public.
• I was impressed by the sturdiness of the new furniture we bought for the living room.
• That old car may not look like much, but it's got some serious sturdiness to it.
• Her mental sturdiness helped her navigate through the tough times with grace.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The engineer carefully thrust in the key to activate the machine.
• I just need to thrust in the USB stick to transfer the files.
• He quickly thrust in the code to hack into the system.
• She felt a sense of unease as the reality of the situation thrust in on her.

noun a racetrack for automobiles, motorcycles, or other motor vehicles

• The new autodrome was designed to meet all safety regulations for high-speed racing events.
• Let's head to the autodrome this weekend to watch some exciting races!
• I heard the autodrome is the place to be for adrenaline junkies.
• His mind felt like a chaotic autodrome, with thoughts racing at top speed.

noun a Brazilian style of restaurant service in which various grilled meats are brought to each table on skewers by servers

adjective relating to or characteristic of this style of restaurant service

• The Brazilian steakhouse offers a traditional rodizio dining experience.
• Let's go to that place with the all-you-can-eat rodizio!
• I'm craving some rodizio, wanna join me?
• The rodizio of ideas at the brainstorming session was overwhelming.

noun a device used to prevent a vehicle from rolling or moving

verb to stop or prevent a vehicle from rolling or moving using a sprag

• The mechanic used a sprag to prevent the wheel from turning during maintenance.
• I found a sprag in the garage and used it to prop open the door.
• Hey, can you pass me that sprag over there?
• His confidence acted as a sprag, keeping him steady in the face of adversity.

noun bus

adjective back

preposition of

• The back end of a bus is where the engine is located.
• I prefer sitting at the back end of a bus so I can get off quickly.
• Let's hang out at the back end of the bus, it's less crowded there.
• He always lags behind, like the back end of a bus.

noun a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion experienced after prolonged exposure to 3D technology

• Research shows that prolonged exposure to 3D technology can lead to 3D fatigue among viewers.
• I can't watch another 3D movie, I think I have 3D fatigue.
• I'm so over 3D movies, they give me major 3D fatigue.
• After hours of gaming in 3D, I felt like I was experiencing 3D fatigue in real life.

noun A material used to absorb energy from a moving object, especially in spacecraft during reentry into the atmosphere.

• The spacecraft's heat shield is designed to act as an ablator, protecting it from the intense heat of reentry.
• The ablator on the rocket helps prevent it from getting too hot during launch.
• Make sure the ablator is in good condition before takeoff, or we could be in trouble.
• In a stressful situation, she acted as an emotional ablator, shielding her friends from the negativity around them.

verb to increase in speed or rate

adjective increasing in speed or rate

• The company is focusing on accelerating its production process to meet the increasing demand.
• She's really accelerating in her new job, picking up tasks quickly and efficiently.
• I'm accelerating through this book, can't put it down!
• His heart was accelerating with excitement as he waited for the results.

noun a mechanical device that causes a mechanism to be activated or operated

• The actuator is an essential component in the automated system.
• Make sure to check the actuator before starting the machine.
• I think the actuator is acting up again, causing the system to malfunction.
• The actuator of change in this organization is the new CEO.

noun the rear section of a ship or aircraft

adjective relating to or located in the rear section of a ship or aircraft

• The afterbody of the ship was designed to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
• I bumped into the afterbody of the car while trying to park.
• He tripped over the afterbody of the couch and fell flat on his face.
• The afterbody of the argument focused on unresolved issues from the past.

adjective located at or toward the rear or stern of a ship or aircraft

• The aftmost part of the ship is where the captain's quarters are located.
• Let's hang out at the aftmost deck for some peace and quiet.
• I always chill at the aftmost spot on the boat to catch the best views.
• In the game of chess, the knight is like the aftmost piece, moving in an L-shaped pattern.