Vocabulary: car part

17 entries

#7891

high beam

high beam /ˈhaɪ ˌbiːm/ countable noun car part

Usually plural "high beams" when referring to the lights actually in use. Opposite: low beam (the dimmer, downward-angled setting for normal driving).

  • the more intense, far-reaching headlight setting used on dark roads with no oncoming traffic

    She flashed her high beams to warn the other driver.

#7540

trunk

trunk
trunk
trunk /trʌŋk/ countable noun car part

  1. (US) the storage area at the back of a car

    Put the groceries in the trunk.

  2. the human torso, not including the head, arms, or legs

    Rotate your trunk slowly during this stretch.

#7468

blinker

blinker
blinker
blinker /ˈblɪŋkɚ/ countable noun car part

(US, informal) more formal/technical term: turn signal (UK: indicator).

  • (US, informal) a flashing light on a vehicle that signals a turn or lane change

    Use your blinker before you change lanes.

#7446

turn signal

turn signal /ˈtɜːrn ˌsɪɡnəl/ countable noun car part

British English: "indicator". Informal US: blinker.

  • a flashing light on a vehicle used to indicate an intended turn or lane change

    He forgot to use his turn signal before merging.

#7445

brake pedal

brake pedal /ˈbreɪk ˌpedəl/ countable noun car part

  • the pedal that a driver presses to slow or stop a vehicle

    She slammed on the brake pedal to avoid the deer.

#7444

gas pedal / accelerator [group]

gas pedal /ˈɡæs ˌpedəl/ countable noun car part

  • the pedal that makes a vehicle go faster

    Ease off the gas pedal before the curve.

accelerator /əkˈseləreɪtɚ/ countable noun car part

  • the pedal or control that increases engine speed

    She pressed the accelerator too hard.

#7443

side mirror

side mirror
side mirror
side mirror /ˈsaɪd ˌmɪrɚ/ countable noun car part

Also called "wing mirror" (British English) or "door mirror".

  • a mirror mounted on the outside of a vehicle to help the driver see traffic to the side and rear

    He checked his side mirror before changing lanes.

#7442

visor [family]

sun visor /ˈsʌn ˌvaɪzɚ/ countable noun car part

Also refers to the fold-down flap inside a car windshield used to block sunlight.

  • a hinged flap above a car's windshield that can be folded down to block glare from the sun

    She flipped down the sun visor to check her makeup in the mirror.

#7441

spare tire

spare tire
spare tire
spare tire /ˌsper ˈtaɪɚ/ countable noun car part

British spelling: "spare tyre", which is also British slang for excess fat around the waist.

  • an extra tire carried in a vehicle to replace one that goes flat

    He changed the flat and put on the spare tire.

#7440

license plate

license plate
license plate
license plate /ˈlaɪsəns pleɪt/ countable noun car part

British English: "number plate".

  • a metal or plastic plate attached to a vehicle bearing an official registration number

    Police recorded the license plate of the fleeing car.

#7439

headlight

headlight
headlight
headlight /ˈhedlaɪt/ countable noun car part

"Like a deer in headlights": frozen with shock. Modern: LED headlights, automatic high beams.

  • a powerful light at the front of a vehicle

    He turned on the headlights.

#7438

hood [family]

hood
hood
hood /hʊd/ countable noun car part

In US, also the metal panel covering a car engine (UK: bonnet). "Hood": slang for neighborhood (shortened from "neighborhood", esp. urban/inner-city). "Robin Hood": legendary figure.

  • (US) the hinged metal cover over a car's engine (UK: bonnet)

    He popped the hood to check the oil.

#7437

taillight

taillight
taillight
taillight /ˈteɪlˌlaɪt/ countable noun car part

British English: "rear light".

  • a red light at the back of a vehicle that illuminates when the headlights are on or the brakes are applied

    One of his taillights was burned out.

#5434

clutch

clutch
clutch
clutch /klʌtʃ/ countable noun car part

  • a mechanism for connecting and disconnecting an engine's drive shaft

    He pressed the clutch and shifted gears.

#4602

windshield

windshield
windshield
windshield /ˈwɪndʃiːld/ countable noun car part

American term. British equivalent: windscreen. "Windshield wiper": the blade that clears rain.

  • (American) the front window of a vehicle

    A rock chipped the windshield.

#2926

muffle [family]

muffler
muffler
muffler /ˈmʌflɚ/ countable noun car part

US: car part that reduces engine noise (UK: silencer). Also: a scarf (dated). "Midas": famous US muffler shop chain.

  • a device to reduce engine noise; a scarf

    The car needed a new muffler.

#1866

gear stick / gearshift [group]

gear stick
gear stick
gear stick /ˈɡɪr stɪk/ countable noun car part

British term. American: "gearshift" or "stick shift". Manual transmission cars increasingly rare in US; common in Europe.

  • the lever for changing gears in a vehicle

    He moved the gear stick into reverse.

gearshift /ˈɡɪrʃɪft/ countable noun car part

  • a lever or mechanism used to change gears in a vehicle

    The gearshift is between the front seats.

gear lever /ˈɡɪr ˌlevɚ/ countable noun car part

  • a lever used to change gears in a vehicle

    He reached for the gear lever.