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Glite Dictionary
master cylinder

master cylinder

1 4.6
A car part that holds brake fluid and pushes it to make the brakes work
  • noun
  • /ˈmæstər ˈsɪlɪndər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cilindro maestro
  • When replacing the master cylinder, make sure to refill the brake fluid to ensure proper function.
  • master cylinder brake
  • a new master cylinder

Examples

  • Some were black aluminum castings as part of the master cylinder.

    Blog text (31)

  • To improve braking performance, it is essential to regularly check the master cylinder for leaks.

  • If not, then your master cylinder is probably bad.

    Blog text (22)

  • So if I'm interested in this portion of the master cylinder, I might not care about the push rod and the dust boot.

  • You know anything about Spatzel master cylinders?

    Choose Me (1984)

  • On the right of the master cylinder, that supplies power to the hydraulic system of the nose wheel, you will find a yellow wiring harness.

    Thunderbirds Are GO (1966)

  • They'll come looking for a hubcap, a grill, an accelerator cable, or a master cylinder.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Laurent couldn't imagine what harm he expected to do to this great machine, but he saw the lance hit true in the center of a small brass plug in the shiny master cylinder.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The mechanic explained that a faulty master cylinder could cause the brakes to fail altogether.

Synonyms

hydraulic brake cylinder
vsmaster cylinder
  • Specialized
6.3

A metal tube in a vehicle that holds fluid and uses a piston to stop the wheels

generates hydraulic pressure for the whole stopping system rather than only local force
brake cylinder
vsmaster cylinder
  • Specialized
3.7

A part in a car's brake system that holds and pushes brake fluid to make the brakes work

creates system hydraulic pressure rather than only applying local activation

Surface Forms

master cylinder singular
master cylinders plural

Morphology

master + cylinder

The phrase is a straightforward modifier + noun compound: 'master' = primary/main and 'cylinder' = a machine chamber with a piston, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it means the main cylinder in a braking system. This composition follows regular English noun-modifier patterns and parallels terms in other languages, making the meaning derivable without prior exposure.

Etymology

The noun master cylinder comes from its two parts: master means the main control part and cylinder is a round tube that holds brake fluid. When you push the brake pedal, this main tube uses the fluid to make the brakes work, so the name shows it 'controls' the brakes.