flywheel

noun

fly·​wheel ˈflī-ˌ(h)wēl 

: a heavy wheel for opposing and moderating by its inertia any fluctuation of speed in the machinery with which it revolves

also : a similar wheel used for storing kinetic energy (as for motive power)

Did you know?

A heavy wheel attached to a rotating shaft, a flywheel smooths out delivery of power from a motor to a machine. The inertia of the flywheel moderates fluctuations in the speed of the engine and stores the excess energy for intermittent use. In automobile engines, the flywheel smooths out the pulses of energy provided by combustion in the cylinders, and provides energy for the compression stroke of the pistons. In power presses, the punching, shearing, and forming are done in a fraction of the operating cycle. During the rest of the cycle, the speed of the flywheel is built up by a comparatively low-powered motor, and most of the required energy for the cycle is provided by the flywheel.

Examples of flywheel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But there doesn’t need to be for this speculative flywheel to spin. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024

Every aspect of his operation, from social media to reality TV to actual real estate sales—works as a flywheel to generate more business. —Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024

The announcements have driven both the price of bitcoin and MicroStrategy shares higher, creating a flywheel effect that investors, corporate treasurers, and financial analysts need to understand. —Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Leaders who can navigate these dynamics will create a flywheel effect, where early successes build momentum, driving further buy-in and creative breakthroughs. —Andrea Ruskin, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

flywheel

noun

fly·​wheel -ˌhwēl  -ˌwēl 

: a heavy wheel for regulating the speed of machinery