brake fluid

American

noun

Automotive.

the fluid used in a brake system to transmit pressure from the brake pedal to the pistons at each wheel, producing the braking action.

brake fluid British

noun

an oily liquid used to transmit pressure in a hydraulic brake or clutch system

"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

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.

The sun was not quite up as Eric Helera unlocked the doors of his jeepney, wiped down its two long passenger benches, and checked his brake fluid before another day ferrying Manila commuters.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

That will be one more estimate for state lawmakers of how much brake fluid the car needs.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2025

They’re in dental floss, food packaging, brake fluid, you name it.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2024

The remedy is replacing one fuse with another, but brake fluid can still leak, potentially causing a safety problem, he said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2023

The World Health Organization said last year that the India-made cough syrups contained lethal toxins ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol – commonly used in car brake fluid and other products not fit for human consumption.

From Reuters • Jul. 21, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023