sparking plug

noun

, British.

1. spark plug ( def 1 ).

sparking plug

noun

1. a device screwed into the cylinder head of an internal-combustion engine to ignite the explosive mixture by means of an electric spark which jumps across a gap between a point earthed to the body of the plug and the tip of a central insulated rod Also calledspark plug

Word History and Origins

Origin of sparking plug¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

That officer, having satisfied his curiosity about the nature of sparking plugs, bade him good-bye, saluted, and gave the order to ride on.

From Project Gutenberg

It is distinguishable, incidentally, by the passage formed through the center of each induction pipe for the sparking plug in the center cylinder of each block of three.

From Project Gutenberg

But to think of that chap, nearly thirteen thousand feet in the air, actually talking to us down on the earth while he was wrestling with a battery or sparking plug, or something!

From Project Gutenberg

The disguise would certainly deceive one's nearest relations, but as likely as not one's dog would come up and give the whole show away by licking the sparking plug.

From Project Gutenberg

The sparking plugs were cleaned very carefully, for the second time.

From Project Gutenberg