master cylinder

American

noun

the hydraulic pump of an automotive braking system that contains a cylinder and one or two pistons, is actuated by the brake pedal, and supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to the brakes at each wheel.

master cylinder British

noun

a large cylinder in a hydraulic system in which the working fluid is compressed by a piston enabling it to drive one or more slave cylinders See also slave cylinder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The brake pedal is still connected to the master cylinder mechanically, so a driver is able to stop the car if the part fails, but extra force is required.

From Fox News

Ford says fluid can leak from the master cylinder for the front-wheel circuit.

From Fox News

The employee told investigators a brake master cylinder installation and brake flush were billed but not done months before the Oct.

From Washington Times

The former manager of a Mavis Discount Tire shop told investigators in a Sept. 17 interview that a brake master cylinder was invoiced but not installed at the time of a May 2018 inspection.

From Washington Times

From custom airbrush work, engraving, a plectrum embedded in the master cylinder and moulded hands to hold up the back mudguard, every element of the bike has been adapted to honour Sabbath.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023