nacelle

noun

na·​celle nə-ˈsel 

: a streamlined enclosure (as for an engine) on an aircraft

Examples of nacelle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those characteristic Starfleet nacelles are kept well away from the ship to protect the crew from an unwanted warping. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025

The equipment sits on the turbine’s nacelle and emits ultrasonic sound between 20 and 50 kilohertz—the same frequencies North American bats use for echolocation. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2018

While most parts from old wind turbines can be recycled or reused, including the shell, nacelle, and metallic internal components, the long blades are typically made from fiberglass. —New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2025

After take off, the X-plane tilts its rotor nacelles forward for horizontal flight and locks them off as the jet engines take over. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, small boat, from Late Latin navicella, diminutive of Latin navis ship — more at nave

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nacelle

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

nacelle

noun

na·​celle nə-ˈsel 

: an enclosed shelter on an aircraft for an engine or sometimes for the crew