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blow-by

American  
[bloh-bahy] / ˈbloʊˌbaɪ /
Or blowby

noun

Automotive.

plural

blow-bies
  1. leakage of the air-fuel mixture or of combustion gases between a piston and the cylinder wall into the crankcase of an automobile.

  2. a device, fitted to a crankcase, for conducting such gases back to the cylinders for combustion.


blow-by British  

noun

  1. the leakage of gas past the piston of an engine at maximum pressure

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of blow-by

First recorded in 1930–35; noun use of verb phrase blow by

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There were blow-by layups, floaters, a rare three-pointer and an old-fashioned three-point play on a jumper he threw up while getting fouled and falling down along the baseline.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

"It was really my blow-by speed," Young said.

From Fox News • Jun. 28, 2021

And down by three, after a Heat turnover, Young had a blow-by for a layup that cut Miami’s lead to 112-111 with 1:02 left.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2019

He knows he has to keep learning and growing; he points, for instance, to his attempt at a game-winner in Philadelphia, when he followed a strong blow-by move with a weak up-and-under layup that was blocked.

From Washington Post • Oct. 8, 2016

The fine outing included power dunks, blow-by drives, pinpoint passes and a 3-pointer for good measure.

From Washington Times • Feb. 16, 2015