A-Z Technical Terms in

Mechanical
Engineering
 A
Acceleration: Rate of change of
velocity.
Adiabatic Process: A process where
no heat is transferred to or from
the system.
Aerospace Engineering: Field
focused on the design and
development of aircraft and
spacecraft.
Alloy: A mixture of metals or a metal
and a non-metal.
Ammeter: Instrument for measuring
electric current.
 B
Bearing: A machine element that
supports rotating shafts.
Bending Moment: The internal
moment that induces bending of a
beam.
Bolted Joint: A connection using bolts
to fasten components.
Boiler: A device for generating steam
or hot water.
Brake: A mechanism used to slow
down or stop a vehicle.
 C
Camshaft: A shaft with cams that
controls the timing of valve openings
in an engine.
Compression Ratio: Ratio of the
maximum to minimum volume in a
combustion chamber.
Centrifugal Force: Force that acts
outward on a body moving in a
circular path.
Coolant: A fluid used to remove heat
from an engine or machine.
Crankshaft: A shaft that converts
reciprocating motion to rotational
motion.
 D
Dynamics: Study of forces and
motion in mechanical systems.
Deformation: Change in shape or
size of a material under applied
forces.
Design Engineering: Discipline
focused on designing and
optimizing mechanical systems.
Drilling Machine: Equipment used
for drilling holes in materials.
Dynamic Balance: Condition where
the center of mass is aligned with
the axis of rotation.
 E @gaugehow

Efficiency: Ratio of useful work

output to total energy input.
Engine: A machine that converts
fuel into mechanical energy.
Exhaust System: Components that
channel exhaust gases away from
the engine.
Elasticity: Ability of a material to
return to its original shape after
deformation.
Entropy: Measure of disorder or
randomness in a system.
 F
Friction: Resistance to motion
between two surfaces in contact.
Fuel Injector: Device that
introduces fuel into the combustion
chamber.
Fan: A device used to move air or
gases.
Fluid Dynamics: Study of fluids in
motion and their interactions.
Flywheel: A rotating wheel used to
store rotational energy.
 G
Gear: A rotating machine part with
cut teeth that meshes with another
gear to transmit torque.
Gasket: A seal used to prevent
leakage between two mating
surfaces.
Gravitation: Force of attraction
between two masses.
Gauge: Instrument used to measure
physical quantities.
Gearbox: A mechanical device that
changes the speed and torque of a
machine.
 H
Heat Exchanger: Device for
transferring heat between two or
more fluids.
Hydraulics: Study of fluid
mechanics involving liquid pressure
and flow.
Hysteresis: Lag between input and
output in a material or system.
Heat Transfer: Movement of
thermal energy from one body or
material to another.
Hypoid Gear: A type of gear where
the axes do not intersect.
 I
Inertia: Resistance of an object to
changes in its state of motion.
Internal Combustion Engine:
Engine where combustion occurs
inside the engine.
Isothermal Process: A process
occurring at a constant
temperature.
Instrumentation: Tools and devices
used to measure and control
physical quantities.
Impeller: A rotating component
used to move fluids in pumps and
turbines.
 @gaugehow

J
Jig: A tool used to guide the
movement of tools or workpieces.
Jet Engine: Engine that propels an
aircraft by expelling jet streams of
gases.
Joint: A connection between two
mechanical components.
Jack: A device used to lift heavy
loads.
Joule: A unit of energy in the
International System of Units (SI).
 K
Kinematics: Study of motion without
considering forces.
Kinetic Energy: Energy possessed
by an object due to its motion.
Kinematic Pair: Two links or
components that are connected in
a mechanical system.
Kinetic Theory: Theory that explains
the behavior of gases based on
their molecular motion.
Key: A component that transmits
torque between shafts and gears.
 L
Lubrication: Application of a
substance to reduce friction
between surfaces.
Lever: A simple machine used to
amplify force.
Load: The force or weight
supported by a structure or
component.
Linear Actuator: Device that
creates motion in a straight line.
Lathe: Machine tool used for
shaping materials by rotating them
against a cutting tool.
 @gaugehow

M
Mechanical Advantage: Ratio of
output force to input force in a
machine.
Moment of Inertia: Measure of an
object's resistance to rotational
motion.
Manifold: A component that
distributes fluids or gases to multiple
outlets.
Motor: A device that converts
electrical energy into mechanical
motion.
Machining: Process of shaping
materials using cutting tools.
 N
Newton's Laws: Three fundamental
laws describing the relationship
between motion and forces.
Nozzle: A device that controls the
direction or characteristics of a fluid
flow.
Nomenclature: System of naming or
labeling parts and processes in
engineering.
Noise: Unwanted sound or vibrations
in a mechanical system.
Nuclear Engineering: Discipline
involving the study and application of
nuclear processes.
 O
Orifice: An opening or hole in a
mechanical component for fluid flow.
Oscillation: Repeated back-and-
forth movement around a central
point.
Output Shaft: The shaft that
transmits power from a machine to
its load.
Overhaul: Comprehensive inspection
and repair of a machine or system.
Offset: A displacement of a
component from its usual position.
 P
Piston: A cylindrical component that
moves back and forth in a cylinder
to convert energy.
Pump: A device used to move fluids
by mechanical action.
Pressure: Force exerted per unit
area.
Power: Rate at which work is done or
energy is transferred.
Pulley: A wheel with a grooved rim
for supporting a belt or rope.
 Q
Quantitative Analysis: Measurement
and analysis of quantities and
numerical data.
Quenching: Rapid cooling of metal
to harden it.
Quality Control: Process of ensuring
products meet specified standards.
Quick Return Mechanism: A
mechanical device that alters the
speed of motion in one direction.
Quadrant: A quarter of a circle, used
in mechanical systems for rotation.
 @gaugehow

R
Rotor: A rotating part of a machine,
such as a motor or turbine.
Refrigeration: Process of removing
heat from a space to lower its
temperature.
Radiator: Device used to dissipate
heat from a fluid.
Resistance: Opposition to the flow
of electric current.
Roller Bearing: A type of bearing
that uses rolling elements to reduce
friction.
 @gaugehow

S
Stress: Force per unit area within
materials.
Strain: Deformation experienced by
a material in response to stress.
Shaft: A rotating machine element
that transmits power.
Spring: An elastic device that stores
and releases energy.
Servo Motor: A motor used in
control systems for precise
movement.
 @gaugehow

T
Torque: Rotational force applied to
an object.
Turbine: A machine that converts
fluid energy into mechanical
energy.
Thermodynamics: Study of heat
and energy transfer.
Transmission: System that
transmits power from the engine to
the wheels.
Temperature: Measure of thermal
energy within a system.
 U @gaugehow

Uniform Stress: Stress that is

distributed evenly across a
material.
Ultimate Tensile Strength:
Maximum stress a material can
withstand while being stretched.
Universal Joint: A joint that allows
rotational motion between shafts at
an angle.
Under-reaming: Enlarging a hole or
cavity to create a better fit.
Ultrasonic Testing: Non-
destructive testing method using
high-frequency sound waves.
 @gaugehow

V
Velocity: Speed in a given direction.
Vibration: Oscillatory motion
around an equilibrium point.
Valve: A device used to control the
flow of fluids.
Venturi Meter: Device used to
measure fluid flow rate using
pressure differences.
Vacuum: Space devoid of matter,
often used to refer to low-pressure
environments.ent for measuring
electric current.
 W
Weld: A process of joining two
materials by melting and fusing
them together.
Work: Energy transferred by a force
over a distance.
Water Hammer: Pressure surge
caused by a sudden change in fluid
flow.
Watt: Unit of power equal to one
joule per second.
Worm Gear: A gear that meshes
with a worm to provide high torque.
 X
X-Ray Inspection: Non-destructive
testing method using X-rays to
examine internal structures.
X-Y Table: A table that moves in
two perpendicular directions, often
used in machining.
Xenon Lamp: High-intensity light
source used in various applications.
Xenon Flash Lamp: A lamp used to
produce short bursts of high-
intensity light.
Xenon Arc Lamp: A type of lamp
used in photometric testing and
high-intensity lighting.
 Y
Yield Strength: The stress at which
a material begins to deform
plastically.
Yaw: Rotational movement around a
vertical axis.
Yoke: A component used to connect
and transfer motion between parts.
Yellow Metal: A term often used to
refer to brass or bronze.
Yardstick: A measuring stick used
to gauge length or distance.
 Z
Zero-Point Calibration: Calibration
process to set a reference point for
measurements.
Zener Diode: A diode used to
maintain a constant voltage.
Zigzag Pattern: A pattern of
alternating angles or directions,
often used in stress analysis.
Zinc Plating: Process of coating
metal with zinc to prevent
corrosion.
Zone of Influence: The area
affected by a force or load in a
mechanical system.
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