lost motion
Americannoun
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motion of a machine or mechanism, especially a reciprocating one, during which no useful work is performed.
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motion between parts in an assembly due to manufacturing tolerances, adjustments, slip, or wear.
Etymology
Origin of lost motion
First recorded in 1875–80
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.
It has over 15,000 parts, but so carefully is it made that lost motion is reduced practically to zero.
From Scientific American • Jan. 14, 2013
Ambidextrous, he has a knack of changing the ball from one hand to another at the last second and getting it in the clear without a bit of lost motion.
From Time Magazine Archive
In a boring machine it is of the utmost consequence that the bar shall be as free from vibration as possible, while lost motion, or looseness from wear, is especially to be avoided.
From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua
With the rods in place, it is not difficult to feel the amount of lost motion by grasping the connecting rod firmly with the hand and moving it up and down.
From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Pag?, Victor Wilfred
In the first of these a proper fit is obtained when the surfaces are in full contact, and the enveloped piece will move without undue friction or lost motion when the surfaces are oiled.
From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
