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trunnion

American  
[truhn-yuhn] / ˈtrʌn yən /

noun

  1. either of the two cylindrical projections on a cannon, one on each side for supporting the cannon on its carriage.

  2. any of various similar supports for machinery.


trunnion British  
/ ˈtrʌnjən /

noun

  1. one of a pair of coaxial projections attached to opposite sides of a container, cannon, etc, to provide a support about which it can turn in a vertical

  2. the structure supporting such a projection

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of trunnion

First recorded in 1615–25, trunnion is from the French word trognon trunk, stump, core (of fruit)

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.

A failed weld on a valve casing called a trunnion caused the gas leak that forced the plant to close on July 1, he said.

From Reuters • Jul. 21, 2016

Sample military gadget is a machine-gun trunnion block, on which the gun swivels.

From Time Magazine Archive

In anticipation of just such a rescue, Solar Max's creators equipped the satellite with a pin, or trunnion, near its midriff.

From Time Magazine Archive

In machining the block into shape, 14 lb. of steel is drilled, planed and ground away before the crude lump becomes a finished 6-lb. trunnion block.

From Time Magazine Archive

The re-enforce is strengthened by two rows of steel hoops; the trunnion hoops form one of the outer layers.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 561, October 2, 1886 by Various

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