cylinder
noun
cyl·in·der
ˈsi-lən-dər 
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
Examples of cylinder in a Sentence
the cylinder of a revolver
Recent Examples on the Web
Rory seems to be hitting on all cylinders, which is a good thing for the Slam.
—
Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
When a cylinder is getting near the end, the app will automatically suggest ordering a refill.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2025
Other Russian outlets did not mention the fatalities but reported that preliminary information showed the cause of the fire was a gas cylinder exploding and the blaze quickly spread throughout the room and to the roof.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
However, Kirk testified that the cap to the master cylinder for the brakes appeared from a photograph to be still intact, so the fluid couldn’t have leaked.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cylinder
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Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
When a cylinder is getting near the end, the app will automatically suggest ordering a refill.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2025
Other Russian outlets did not mention the fatalities but reported that preliminary information showed the cause of the fire was a gas cylinder exploding and the blaze quickly spread throughout the room and to the roof.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
However, Kirk testified that the cap to the master cylinder for the brakes appeared from a photograph to be still intact, so the fluid couldn’t have leaked.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cylinder
Cite this Entry
“Cylinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cylinder. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cylinder
noun
cyl·in·der
ˈsil-ən-dər
1
: a geometric shape composed of two parallel faces of identical size and shape (as circles) and a curved surface that completely connects their borders
2
: a body (as the piston chamber of an engine, the barrel of a pump, or the part of a revolver which holds the cartridges) shaped like a cylinder
cylindrical
adjective
sə-ˈlin-dri-kəl
cylindrically
adverb
-dri-k(ə-)lē
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