nacelle

American  

[nuh-sel] / nəˈsɛl /

noun

1. the enclosed part of an airplane, dirigible, etc., in which the engine is housed or in which cargo or passengers are carried.

2. the car of a balloon.

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nacelle British  

/ nəˈsɛl /

noun

1. a streamlined enclosure on an aircraft, not part of the fuselage, to accommodate an engine, passengers, crew, etc

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Etymology

Origin of nacelle

1475–85; < French: a small boat < Late Latin nāvicella, for Latin nāvicula, equivalent to nāvi ( s ) ship ( nave ) + -cula -cule ¹

Example Sentences

Vestas currently operates two factories in Poland, an onshore blade plant that it recently acquired, and an offshore nacelle assembly facility.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also makes wing components, engine nacelles and pylons for Boeing jets.

From Seattle Times

The flaw could cause the inlet at the front end of the pod surrounding the engine — known as a nacelle — to overheat and potentially break up.

From Seattle Times

The nacelles that house the generator for each wind turbine are there, too.

From Seattle Times

While the turbines will be supplied by General Electric, the cabinlike structures called nacelles, which house the gearing and electronics, will be made in France.

From New York Times

Related Words

• box
• crate