connecting rod

American  

noun

Machinery.

1. a rod or link for transmitting motion and force between a rotating and a reciprocating part, as between a piston and a crankshaft.

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connecting rod British  

noun

1. a rod or bar for transmitting motion, esp one that connects a rotating part to a reciprocating part

2. such a rod that connects the piston to the crankshaft in an internal-combustion engine or reciprocating pump See also big end little end

3. a similar rod that connects the crosshead of a steam engine to the crank

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Etymology

Origin of connecting rod

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Honda says in documents posted Friday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that connecting rod bearings in the engine can wear and seize due to a manufacturing error, damaging the engines.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2023

That can restrict oil flow to the connecting rod bearings, making them fail.

From Washington Post • Sep. 25, 2015

A broken connecting rod meant getting another car, and friendly peasants shoveled much snow and pushed often and mightily.

From Time Magazine Archive

Next the engine went thud-thud: a connecting rod had broken and the car had to be towed back to its garage.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Operates through the explosion of gases in a enclosed space. Power of explosion is exerted on piston and through connecting rod and crankshaft through transmission thence to rear wheels. Got that?”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck