flywheel

noun

fly·​wheel ˈflī-ˌ(h)wēl How to pronounce flywheel (audio)
: 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)

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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

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The maker of the flywheel, U.K.-based Williams Hybrid Power, is developing a fully composite flywheel for use in street cars. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012 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 See all Example Sentences for flywheel 

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flywheel was in 1784

Dictionary Entries Near flywheel

Cite this Entry

“Flywheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flywheel. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

flywheel

noun
fly·​wheel -ˌhwēl How to pronounce flywheel (audio) -ˌwēl How to pronounce flywheel (audio)
: a heavy wheel for regulating the speed of machinery

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