precombustion chamber

noun

: an auxiliary space in which combustible gases are ignited and combustion started ahead of the main combustion chamber of a jet or gas engine

In a normal engine the fuel goes through a precombustion chamber where combustion begins slowly and spreads to the main cylinder chamber.

—Jamie Merrill

The glow plug is an electrically operated device that protrudes into the precombustion chamber. When energized the glow plug tip heats to a dull red. The swirling, highly compressed air-fuel mixture is heated by the glow plug tip.

—Auto Fundamentals

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for precombustion chamber

• antechamber
• bedchamber