cowling

American

[kou-ling] / ˈkaʊ lɪŋ /

noun

a streamlined metal housing or removable covering for an engine, especially an aircraft engine, often part of or forming a continuous line with the fuselage or wing.

cowling British

/ ˈkaʊlɪŋ /

noun

Also called: cowl. a streamlined metal covering, esp one fitted around an aircraft engine Compare fairing 1

"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 cowling

First recorded in 1915–20; cowl + -ing ¹

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.

Mr Hoskins said: "Every single name listed will be reproduced on the inside of the top cowling of AA810; every time Sandy's Spitfire flies their names will fly too."

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2023

Part of the cowling, the metal paneling covering the engine, detached from the plane upon landing, according to a statement from Alaska Airlines.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 22, 2022

Also of concern was the fact that the cowling — the circular piece on the front of the engine — fell from the sky.

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2021

“To have a single blade split the cowling like that is concerning,” one expert told the Journal.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2018

The drill's cowling was off to make room for the power line.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

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