spark plug

noun

1
: a part that fits into the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and carries two electrodes separated by an air gap across which the current from the ignition system discharges to form the spark for combustion
2
: one that initiates or gives impetus to an undertaking
sparkplug transitive verb

Examples of spark plug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When the wire is disconnected, carefully turn the spark plug counterclockwise to loosen and remove it. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2024 In contrast to their matchup Sunday night, where the Sparks led for most of the game and collapsed in the fourth quarter, the Sun outplayed them from whistle to whistle, led by Marina Mabrey, who was their spark plug with a career-high 26 points, two rebounds, and four assists off the bench. Andrés Soto, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024 The rest—spark plugs, crankshafts, windshields, tires and whatnot—are supplied by third parties. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2024 Meanwhile, tune-ups, oil changes and spark plug replacements are now things of the past at the South Pasadena Police Department. Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for spark plug 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spark plug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spark plug was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near spark plug

Cite this Entry

“Spark plug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spark%20plug. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

spark plug

noun
1
: a device used in an engine to produce a spark that ignites a fuel mixture
2
: one that begins something or drives something forward

More from Merriam-Webster on spark plug

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