nacelle

noun

na·​celle nə-ˈsel 

: a streamlined enclosure (as for an engine) on an aircraft

Examples of nacelle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By the third quarter of this year, manufacturing capacity for solar modules, wind blades and nacelles had expanded by roughly 50% from the first quarter of 2025, reflecting new facilities that have come online, the CIM reported in October. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

Without the nacelle’s weight at the top, the structure exhibited different vibration characteristics. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Louis Manfredi, another ocean engineering student, teamed up with master’s student Jim Sexton on the nacelle housing the generator and drivetrain. — IEEE Spectrum, 15 June 2026

As this happens, the engine's power is redirected through a conventional jet nozzle at the rear of the nacelle. — David Szondy march 09, New Atlas, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, small boat, from Late Latin navicella, diminutive of Latin navis ship — more at nave

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nacelle

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

nacelle

noun

na·​celle nə-ˈsel 

: an enclosed shelter on an aircraft for an engine or sometimes for the crew