cylinder
n. countablen. a solid or hollow object with straight sides and two circular ends that are the same size. You often see this shape in things like soda cans or pipes.
n. a solid geometric figure with straight parallel sides and a circular or oval cross section. In mechanical contexts, it refers to the chamber in which a piston moves.
The engine has four cylinders.
The architect designed the building as a tall glass cylinder to provide a panoramic view of the city.
Engineers measured the pressure within each cylinder to determine why the motor was losing power during high-speed acceleration.
From Middle French chilindre, cylindre, from Latin cylindrus, from Ancient Greek κύλινδρος (kúlindros), from κυλίνδω (kulíndō) "I roll or wallow" (intransitive). Doublet of calander and calender.
Commonly used in geometry, mechanics, and industrial design to describe both shapes and mechanical components.