To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of spark plug
1 : a part that fits into the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and carries two electrodes separated by an air gap across which the current from the ignition system discharges to form the spark for combustion
2 : one that initiates or gives impetus to an undertaking
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from spark plug
sparkplug \ ˈspärk-ˌpləg 
\ transitive verb
\ transitive verbExamples of spark plug in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web The maker of spectacular baskets in previous tournament games, the team’s senior spark plug did not take a shot.
—
Mike Downey, Los Angeles Times, "Jim Harrick’s on-court adjustments served UCLA well in 1995 NCAA title win," 6 Apr. 2020 For the third time, a spark plug has been ejected from the engine.
—
San Diego Union-Tribune, "2001 Expedition’s spark plugs are ready to blow!," 21 July 2019 Buying parts for your car in the 1970s typically meant asking a guy, slouched behind a grubby counter with a cigarette or toothpick in his teeth, to fetch a spark plug or wiper blade.
—
James R. Hagerty, WSJ, "Co-Founder of AutoZone Enlivened a Dreary Branch of Retailing," 18 Mar. 2020 In gasoline engines, an electric spark plug ignites fuel in a cylinder to push a piston.
—
Steven Ashley, Scientific American, "Can Diesel Finally Come Clean?," 19 Dec. 2019 Carefully inspecting/rerouting the spark plug wires may point out a problem there.
—
Brad Bergholdt, chicagotribune.com, "Under the Hood: Stalling, hesitating has no clear cause in Forester," 15 Nov. 2019 Because of their unique situation, taking an offensive spark plug like Howard who can help them win now makes a lot of sense.
—
Jeremy Cluff, azcentral, "NBA mock draft: Markus Howard leading nation in scoring, flying under the radar for draft," 20 Jan. 2020 The gun seen firing in the film is another mock-up which was not mounted on the helicopter and which consisted of metal tubing with spark plugs to ignite acetylene as it was blown through the barrels.
—
Peter Opaskar, Ars Technica, "Forget Top Gun: Maverick—let’s settle Blue Thunder vs. Airwolf once and for all," 10 Jan. 2020 Bella Vogt is the team spark plug and has the capability to knock down big shots when needed.
—
Mick Mccabe, Detroit Free Press, "McCabe: Detroit Edison, East Lansing top list of 20 high school girls basketball teams in state," 6 Dec. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spark plug.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on spark plug
What made you want to look up spark plug? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Obscure Shapes
- Something that is ooid is shaped like:
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share spark plug
Time Traveler for spark plug
The first known use of spark plug was in 1903
See more words from the same year