1
: a sliding piece moved by or moving against fluid pressure which usually consists of a short cylindrical body fitting within a cylindrical chamber or vessel along which it moves back and forth
2
: a sliding valve moving in a cylinder in a brass instrument which when depressed by a finger knob serves to lower the instrument's pitch
Examples of piston in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The visible pistons are this shoe’s signature, and instantly recognizable worldwide.
—
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Consider a now-classic study, involving brain scans and fingers crushed by hydraulic pistons.
—Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
So there are things like individual throttle valves, dry sump lubrication, solid cam finger followers (instead of hydraulic valve lifters), titanium con rods, and forged pistons.
—Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
This is achieved essentially with large magnets, as opposed to steam pistons used on older American carriers.
—Matthew Bodner, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2025
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Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Consider a now-classic study, involving brain scans and fingers crushed by hydraulic pistons.
—Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
So there are things like individual throttle valves, dry sump lubrication, solid cam finger followers (instead of hydraulic valve lifters), titanium con rods, and forged pistons.
—Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
This is achieved essentially with large magnets, as opposed to steam pistons used on older American carriers.
—Matthew Bodner, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piston
Cite this Entry
“Piston.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piston. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
piston
noun
pis·ton
ˈpis-tən 
: a sliding piece moved by or moving against the pressure of a fluid (as steam or hot gases) that usually consists of a short solid cylinder moving within a larger hollow cylinder
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