spark plug

noun

1. a device designed to fit in each cylinder of a gasoline-powered internal-combustion engine and to produce the electric spark for igniting the mixture of gasoline and air.
2. Informal. a person who leads, inspires, or animates a group.

spark plug

noun

1. another name for sparking plug

spark plug

1. A device in the cylinder head of an internal-combustion engine that ignites the fuel mixture by means of an electric spark. Spark plugs consist of two electrodes that are separated by an insulator except at their tips. When high voltage electricity is fed to one electrode, it jumps across the gap from one tip to the other as a spark. The voltage required to generate a spark is directly proportional to the size of the gap; in a car engine it is about 18,000 volts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spark plug¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

And anyone expecting James to be the spark plug and catalyst of the Heat is woefully mistaken.

From The Daily Beast

The spark plug is a simple device which may be compared to the fuse or percussion cap of the cannon.

From Project Gutenberg

The spark-plug electrodes may be easily set by means of the gauge attached to the screwdriver.

From Project Gutenberg

This point will vary with different methods of ignition, as well as the location of the spark-plug or igniter.

From Project Gutenberg

Ding-dong caught one bewhiskered old fellow in the very act of abstracting a spark plug.

From Project Gutenberg

If the cylinders be T or L head, remove either the inlet or the exhaust valve cap, or a spark plug if the cap is tight.

From Project Gutenberg