Meaning of the word piston in English

What does piston mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

piston

US /ˈpɪs.tən/
UK /ˈpɪs.tən/

Noun

a disk or short cylinder fitting closely within a tube in which it moves up and down, as in a steam engine or internal combustion engine, to convert pressure into linear motion or vice versa

Example:
The engine's pistons move rapidly up and down, driving the crankshaft.
A faulty piston can cause significant damage to an engine.