piston ring

noun

1. a metallic ring, usually one of a series, and split so as to be expansible, placed around a piston in order to maintain a tight fit, as inside the cylinder of an engine.

piston ring

noun

1. a split ring, usually made of cast iron, that fits into a groove on the rim of a piston to provide a spring-loaded seal against the cylinder wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of piston ring¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

This was probably done to reduce vibration and the problem of piston-ring sealing.

From Project Gutenberg

What would it mean to you to know that you were not losing steam power because of a faulty piston-ring?

From Project Gutenberg

The piston ring removers are easily made from thin strips of sheet metal securely brazed or soldered to a light wire handle.

From Project Gutenberg

At the end of the fifth mile, the launch ahead of them dropped out of the struggle with a broken piston ring.

From Project Gutenberg