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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• trunnioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of trunnion

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

Example Sentences

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