Meaning & Definition of word "Piston"

Piston

/ˈpɪstən/

1. A cylindrical piece that moves back and forth within a cylinder, often used in engines or pumps to convert pressure into mechanical energy.
- Example: The engine's piston moved rapidly up and down, generating the power needed to drive the vehicle.
2. A device for drawing liquid from a container by means of suction.
- Example: She used a piston to transfer the liquid from the large tank into smaller bottles.
3. A part of a syringe that is pushed and pulled to create a vacuum or to inject fluids.
- Example: The nurse inserted the needle and slowly pulled back the piston to draw blood.
4. An object resembling a piston, often used in various machines.
- Example: The hydraulics of the machine were powered by a series of pistons that controlled the movement.
5. In musical instruments like a trumpet, a mechanism that changes the pitch by altering the length of the tubing.
- Example: The musician pressed down on the piston to lower the note during the performance.

Middle English: from Old French pistoun, from Latin pistionem, meaning 'to crush'.

piston pump:

A type of pump that uses a piston to move fluid.

piston ring:

A ring used to seal the gap between the piston and the cylinder wall.

piston engine:

An engine that uses pistons in its operation.

cylinder:

A three-dimensional shape with two parallel circular bases.

valve:

A device that regulates the flow of a fluid in a pipe.

Meaning: To piston down or up

Example Sentence: We need to piston down these ideas to get to the point.

Meaning: Piston head

Example Sentence: He thinks he’s the piston head around here, but we all know the truth.