Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

cylinder

Pronunciation: /ˈsɪlɪndə/
Translate cylinder | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of cylinder

noun

  • 1a solid geometrical figure with straight parallel sides and a circular or oval section.
  • a solid or hollow body, object, or part having the shape of a cylinder.
  • 2a piston chamber in a steam or internal-combustion engine.
  • 3a cylindrical container for liquefied gas under pressure.
  • 4a rotating metal roller in a printing press.
  • 5 Archaeology a cylinder seal.

Derivatives

cylindric

Pronunciation: /sɪˈlɪndrɪk/
adjective

cylindrical

adjective

cylindrically

adverb

Origin:

late 16th century: from Latin cylindrus, from Greek kulindros 'roller', from kulindein 'to roll'

Spelling help

Spell cylinder with cyl- at the beginning and -er at the end.

cylinder in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cylinder in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …