cylinder
n.-
1 geometric shape (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Matha shape with two circular ends and straight sides, like a pipe or a soup can.
a solid geometric figure with two parallel circular bases and a curved surface connecting them.
ExampleThe architect designed the building as a tall glass cylinder.
ExampleThe student calculated the volume of the cylinder by multiplying the area of its circular base by its height.
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2 engine part (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe tube-shaped part of an engine where a piston moves to create power.
the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, being the space in which a piston travels.
ExampleThe car has a powerful six-cylinder engine.
ExampleA crack in the third cylinder caused the engine to lose compression and stall during the test drive.
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3 gas container (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea strong metal container used for holding gas under pressure.
a pressurized metal container, typically cylindrical with rounded ends, used for storing and transporting gases.
ExampleWe need to buy a new gas cylinder for the outdoor grill.
ExampleThe divers checked their oxygen cylinders one last time before descending into the cave system.
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4 computing storage (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Computinga way of grouping data on a computer's hard drive.
a unit of data on a hard disk drive consisting of the set of all tracks that are at the same distance from the centre of the platters.
ExampleThe old computer manual explained how data was organized by cylinder and track.
ExampleModern operating systems abstract the physical cylinder-head-sector geometry of the drive to simplify data management.
UsageUsually used when discussing the physical geometry of older hard disk drives.
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.
- Nouncylinder
- Adjectivecylindrical