Mechanical Engineering Vocabulary

noun a device used for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle

verb to slow down or stop a vehicle by applying the brake

• The driver applied the brake gently to slow down the car.
• Hey, don't forget to brake before making that turn.
• I slammed on the brakes when I saw the red light.
• She needed to put the brakes on her spending before she went broke.

noun a flexible series of linked metal rings used for fastening or securing objects

verb to restrict or confine

• The company has implemented a new supply chain management system to improve efficiency.
• I need to stop by the store to pick up a new chain for my bike.
• I can't believe she broke the chain of command and went straight to the boss.
• Each decision we make has a ripple effect, creating a chain of events.

noun a tube or passageway for air, liquid, or electrical wires

verb to convey through a duct

• The duct system in the building needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure proper air circulation.
• I think there might be a leak in the duct under the sink.
• I can't believe he tried to duct tape his broken phone back together.
• The duct of communication between the two departments was blocked, causing misunderstandings.

noun a unit of force in the centimeter-gram-second system, equal to the force that would give a free mass of one gram an acceleration of one centimeter per second per second

• The dyne is a unit of force in the centimeter-gram-second system of units.
• I had to look up what a dyne is because I've never heard of it before.
• I don't give a dyne about that topic, it's not important to me.
• The dyne of motivation pushed her to achieve her goals against all odds.

noun a series of short, irregular bursts of activity or progress

• The project progressed in fits and starts due to various delays in funding.
• She's been working on her novel in fits and starts, but she's determined to finish it.
• I've been trying to get in shape, but it's been happening in fits and starts.
• Their relationship moved forward in fits and starts, with moments of intense passion followed by periods of distance.

verb to be constantly or visibly worried or anxious

• She spent the entire night fretting over the details of the upcoming presentation.
• Stop fretting about what could go wrong and just enjoy the moment.
• Why are you fretting so much? Chill out, everything will be fine.
• The old tree stood tall and strong, its branches gently fretting in the wind.

noun a thick oily substance, especially as used as a lubricant or for frying or greasing cooking pans

verb to smear or lubricate with grease

• The mechanic used grease to lubricate the gears in the machine.
• Make sure to grease the pan before baking the cake.
• I need to hit up the drive-thru for some greasy fries.
• His slick talking was like grease, helping him navigate any situation smoothly.

noun a lagging of an effect behind its cause, as when the change in magnetism of a body lags behind changes in the magnetic field.

• The material exhibited hysteresis in its stress-strain curve.
• The device shows hysteresis when you press the button.
• I don't get why there's hysteresis in this system.
• Their relationship had a hysteresis effect, where past arguments lingered and affected their current interactions.

noun a mechanical device used to lift something up

verb to raise or increase something, especially prices or rates

• The contractor decided to jack up the price of the project due to unexpected expenses.
• The mechanic always tries to jack up the cost of repairs.
• I heard they're trying to jack up the rent for next year.
• His behavior really started to jack up my stress levels.

noun a large piece of meat cooked or prepared for cooking

adjective involving two or more

• The two companies formed a joint venture to develop new technology.
• Let's go grab a bite at the new BBQ joint down the street.
• I heard there's a cool joint where they play live music on weekends.
• The team worked together like a well-oiled joint to complete the project on time.

noun a joint of a finger when the fist is closed

verb to press or rub with the knuckles

adjective relating to or resembling a knuckle

• She rapped her knuckle on the door before entering.
• I accidentally cracked my knuckle while playing basketball.
• I heard he got into a fight and ended up busting his knuckle.
• He was so nervous that he was biting his knuckles during the presentation.

noun a mechanical device that moves people or goods vertically

verb to raise or elevate something

• The elevator lift malfunctioned, causing a delay in reaching the top floor.
• Can you give me a lift to the airport tomorrow?
• I'll catch you later, I need to hit the gym and get my lift on.
• His positive attitude was like a lift to everyone's spirits during the difficult time.

noun a group of machines or mechanical devices that are used together in a particular way

• The factory invested in new machinery to improve production efficiency.
• The company got some fancy new machinery for the workshop.
• Check out the cool machinery they got for the garage!
• His mind was like a well-oiled machinery, always working efficiently.

noun Motive power is a noun that refers to the force or energy that drives something forward or gives it the ability to move. In the context of machinery or vehicles, it can also refer to the source of power that makes them operate.

• The steam engine is a classic example of a machine powered by motive power.
• The car's motive power comes from its engine.
• That motorcycle has some serious motive power under the hood.
• Education is the motive power that drives success in life.

noun a self-propelled vehicle that runs on a motor, such as a car, truck, or motorcycle

• The motor vehicle industry is constantly evolving with new technological advancements.
• I really need to get my motor vehicle serviced soon.
• I love cruising around in my sweet motor vehicle.
• His mind was like a well-oiled motor vehicle, always running smoothly.

noun a withdrawal or retreat, especially of troops

verb to move back or away from something

• The company decided to implement a strategic pullback in order to reassess their market position.
• I think we should do a pullback on our spending until we figure out a better budget plan.
• Let's do a pullback on that idea, it's not working out as we thought.
• After a series of setbacks, he felt like life was giving him a pullback at every turn.

noun Resultant can also be used as a noun to refer to the outcome or consequence of a specific action or event.

adjective Resultant is used as an adjective to describe something that is produced as a result of something else.

• The resultant of the two forces acting on the object can be calculated using vector addition.
• The final outcome is dependent on the resultant of all the factors involved.
• The party was a disaster, but the resultant was that we all had a good laugh about it later.
• Her decision to quit her job had a resultant effect on her mental health.

adjective silly or foolish in a way that is amusing

• The screwy logic in his argument made it difficult to follow.
• I think the whole situation is just plain screwy.
• This whole thing is so screwy, I can't even deal.
• Her mind felt like a screwy puzzle, with pieces that just didn't fit together.

adjective describing something that is capable of acting or operating independently or automatically without external control or assistance

• The self-acting mechanism in the machine ensures smooth operation without the need for manual intervention.
• I love how this self-acting camera adjusts its settings automatically for the best picture.
• This self-acting vacuum cleaner is a game-changer - it cleans the house while I relax!
• His self-acting attitude towards life has helped him overcome many obstacles without seeking external help.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific person, place, thing, or idea

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

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

• The document accidentally slipped out of the envelope during transit.
• I saw the note slip out of your pocket when you sat down.
• I can't believe she let that secret slip out of her mouth.
• Don't let your dreams slip out of your grasp, keep working towards them.

verb to make or become stiff or rigid

• The fabric stiffened after being exposed to the cold temperature.
• She stiffened when she heard the unexpected knock on the door.
• His muscles stiffened up after the intense workout.
• The team's resolve stiffened as they faced their toughest opponent yet.

noun a type of transmission system in a motor vehicle that allows gear changes to be made without clashing gears

• The synchromesh transmission allows for smooth gear shifting in modern vehicles.
• I prefer driving a car with synchromesh gears because it's easier to shift.
• My buddy's car has a sweet synchromesh setup that makes shifting like butter.
• In life, having good communication skills is like having a synchromesh system - everything runs smoothly.

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.

adjective having teeth or tooth-like projections

• The saw has sharp toothed edges for cutting through wood efficiently.
• I bought a toothed comb to help detangle my hair.
• I need to get my toothed gear fixed before the big race.
• His smile was like a toothed grin, full of mischief and charm.

verb To disturb or unsettle; to cause someone to become mentally unbalanced or disturbed.

• The constant pressure and stress can unhinge even the most stable individuals.
• I think all the noise and chaos is starting to unhinge me.
• That movie was so scary, it totally unhinged me!
• The unexpected news seemed to unhinge her entire world.

noun a rapid back-and-forth movement or oscillation

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The scientist studied the effects of vibration on different materials.
• I could feel the vibration from the music playing in the next room.
• That bass is giving off some serious vibrations!
• The excitement in the room created a vibration of anticipation among the crowd.

noun A person or thing that is worn out

verb To become unusable or ineffective due to repeated use or wear

adjective Describing something that is no longer functional or effective due to excessive use

• The constant friction caused the fabric to wear out quickly.
• I've been wearing out these shoes by wearing them every day.
• I really wore out my welcome at the party last night.
• The stress of the job is starting to wear me out.

noun a physical injury to the body, typically involving a cut or break in the skin

verb past tense of wind up, meaning to tighten or twist something into a coiled or compact form

adjective in a state of nervous tension or excitement

adverb used to describe the manner in which something is wound up or completed

• After a series of negotiations, the parties wound up signing a contract.
• We wound up at the beach after getting lost on the way to the park.
• I wound up binge-watching the entire series in one night.
• Despite their differences, they wound up becoming the best of friends.

noun a faucet or valve with a nozzle for attachment to a hose

• The plumber installed a new bibcock to regulate the flow of water in the garden hose.
• I had to tighten the bibcock in the backyard because it was leaking.
• Hey, can you pass me that thingamajig to turn off the bibcock by the shed?
• She felt like a bibcock, controlling the flow of information in the office.

noun a type of shock absorber

• The dashpot is a mechanical device used to dampen vibrations in a system.
• I had to replace the dashpot in my car's suspension system.
• That old dashpot is really giving me trouble.
• Her calm demeanor acted like a dashpot, absorbing all the stress and tension in the room.

noun A coil of wire usually in the form of a helix, used to produce a magnetic field when carrying an electric current.

• The solenoid is an electromechanical device used to convert electrical energy into linear motion.
• I had to replace the solenoid in my car because it was causing starting issues.
• I need to get my hands on a new solenoid for my ride.
• The solenoid acted like a gatekeeper, controlling the flow of energy in the system.

noun a rapid spinning motion

verb to cause to spin rapidly

• The dancer executed a perfect birl during the ballet performance.
• I saw the kids birl around the playground with so much energy.
• Let's birl over to the mall and grab some food.
• Her mind seemed to birl with thoughts as she tried to make a decision.

verb to drink something, typically an alcoholic beverage, quickly and in large quantities

• The train was chugging along the tracks, steadily making its way to the next station.
• I could hear the old car chugging down the street, it definitely needs a tune-up.
• After chugging a few beers, he was feeling pretty buzzed.
• She kept chugging away at her work, determined to finish before the deadline.

noun a coefficient that describes the ability of a gas or vapor to adhere to a solid surface

• The accommodation coefficient is a measure of how effectively a material can accommodate the deformation caused by an external force.
• The accommodation coefficient basically tells us how well a material can handle being stretched or bent.
• Yo, that material's accommodation coefficient is off the charts - it can take a beating!
• In life, having a high accommodation coefficient means being able to adapt and adjust to changes easily.

noun the branch of physics and engineering that deals with the interaction of aerodynamic forces and the elasticity of structures, such as aircraft wings

• The study of aeroelasticity focuses on the interaction between aerodynamic forces and structural dynamics in aircraft design.
• Aeroelasticity is all about how the wind affects the wings of an airplane.
• Messing with aeroelasticity is like playing with the balance of nature and machine.
• In the world of engineering, aeroelasticity is like a delicate dance between air and structure.

noun a device used to supply oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and other gases for breathing, especially at high altitudes or in space

• Aerophors are essential equipment used in scuba diving to regulate the flow of air from the tank to the diver.
• Make sure you check the aerophors before your next dive to ensure they are working properly.
• I forgot to pack my aerophors for the dive, so I had to borrow a spare set from my friend.
• In the world of scuba diving, aerophors are like the lifeline that keeps divers safe underwater.

noun a device that produces or enhances sound waves by the use of aeroacoustics

• The aeroresonator is a key component in the design of the new aircraft engine.
• I heard they're installing an aeroresonator in the plane to make it more efficient.
• The aeroresonator is like the secret sauce that makes the jet engine go zoom!
• The aeroresonator hummed softly, as if whispering secrets to the wind.

noun aflap

• The bird's wings were aflap as it took off into the sky.
• I ran into the room with my hair all aflap from the wind outside.
• She was in such a rush that her papers were all aflap as she ran down the hallway.
• The news of the scandal set the town aflap with gossip and speculation.