cylinder

noun cyl·in·der \ ˈsi-lən-dər \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

Definition of cylinder

1 a : the surface traced by a straight line moving parallel to a fixed straight line and intersecting a fixed planar closed curve

b : a solid or surface bounded by a cylinder and two parallel planes cutting all its elements; especially : right circular cylinder — see Volume Formulas Table

2 : a cylindrical body or space: such as

a : the turning chambered breech of a revolver

b (1) : the piston chamber in an engine

(2) : a chamber in a pump from which the piston expels the fluid

c : any of various rotating members in a press (such as a printing press); especially : one that impresses paper on an inked form

d : a cylindrical clay object inscribed with cuneiform inscriptions

—

cylindered

play \ˈsi-lən-dərd\ adjective

— on all cylinders

: with maximum effort or intensity : at full capacity or speed

the economy is running on all cylinders

See cylinder defined for English-language learners

See cylinder defined for kids

Examples of cylinder in a Sentence

the cylinder of a revolver

Recent Examples of cylinder from the Web

The middle of the cylinder is filled with a powdered mixture of ammonium perchlorate and ammonium nitrate, the oxidants.

— The Economist, "A rocket that devours itself," 31 May 2018
The cylinders move the train cab noisily forward and backward, left and right to mimic the movements of a real train on a track.

— Washington Post, "Volunteers work to save vintage train simulator in Berlin," 12 May 2018
Police ask participants to not bring ammunition; to deliver unloaded guns in a secure bag or container and with the cylinder or action open.

— linda trischitta, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Gift cards for guns event Saturday in Fort Lauderdale," 9 May 2018
The extra power provided by the V-6 engine makes it more fun to drive than the four-cylinder.

— g. chambers williams iii, star-telegram, "Mitsubishi’s Outlander GT has room for the family, V-6, and all-wheel drive | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 5 May 2018
Things to consider: In the compressed cylinders, the air is greater than 90 percent oxygen.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Portable oxygen tanks: what you need to know," 24 Apr. 2018
But the cylinder looked like others identified by the international NGO Human Rights Watch at other locations of chlorine gas attacks attributed to the government in 2016.

— Time, "Chemical Weapons Inspectors Collect Samples in Syria in Wake of Gas Attack," 21 Apr. 2018
But the cylinder looked like others identified by the international NGO Human Rights Watch at other locations of chlorine gas attacks attributed to the government in 2016.

— philip issa, The Seattle Times, "Chemical weapons inspectors collect samples from Syria site," 21 Apr. 2018
The terrace was built by slightly bending LEGO pieces end to end to create the giant cylinder.

— nate chute, Indianapolis Star, "How a 65,000 LEGO piece Soldiers and Sailors Monument was built," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cylinder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cylinder

Middle French or Latin; Middle French cylindre, from Latin cylindrus, from Greek kylindros, from kylindein to roll; perhaps akin to Greek kyklos wheel — more at wheel

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1570

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year