Piston definition

pĭstən
pistons
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Frequency:
(music) A valve mechanism in brass instruments for altering the pitch.
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The snug-fitting engine part that is forced back and forth within a cylinder by the pressure of combustion, steam, etc. and a reciprocating connecting rod.
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The definition of a piston is a sliding valve that is snugly fitted into a cylinder in an engine and which moves up and down because of pressure, or a sliding valve in the cylinder of a brass instrument.

An example of a piston is the part of a car that compresses fluids and creates fluid pressure.

An example of a piston is the valve in a trumpet that changes the notes played by pushing down on one of three pistons.

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A solid cylinder or disk that fits snugly into a larger cylinder and moves under fluid pressure, as in a reciprocating engine, or displaces or compresses fluids, as in pumps and compressors.
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(music) A sliding valve moved in the cylinder of a brass instrument to change the pitch.
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(person) 1894-1976; U.S. composer.
proper name
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A solid cylinder or disk that fits snugly into a hollow cylinder and moves back and forth under the pressure of a fluid (typically a hot gas formed by combustion, as in many engines), or moves or compresses a fluid, as in a pump or compressor.
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A solid disk or cylinder that fits inside a hollow cylinder, and moves under pressure (as in an engine) or displaces fluid (as in a pump)
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(music) A valve device in some brass instruments for changing the pitch.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
piston
Plural:
pistons

Origin of piston

  • French from Italian pistone, pestone large pestle from pestare to pound, crush from Late Latin pistāre frequentative of Latin pīnsere, pīnsāre

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From French piston.

    From Wiktionary

Piston Sentence Examples

  • The cylinder, in which a well-fitting piston worked, was provided at its lower end with two valves.

  • In a particular case where the boiler pressure was maintained constant at 130 lb per square inch, and the cut-off was approximately 20% of the stroke, the values c =55 and b=o 031 were deduced, from which it will be found that the value of the piston speed corresponding to the maximum horsepower is 887 ft.

  • On again F J J raising the piston the valve E opens ?g G admitting more liquid whilst F re- mains closed.

  • The piston rod passes through a valve in the upper part of the cylinder which is held to its seat by a spring.

  • The total upward pressure on this piston is calculated to be equal to 150,000 lb; hence the shaft-bearings are practically relieved from pressure when the wheels are running.

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