A–Z Technical Terms in Mechanical Engineering — mechanical engineering questions

 

Mechanical engineering feels like a language with a thousand tiny dialects. If you’re starting out, or even returning after a break, these terms can be a lifesaver. Below is a friendly — slightly messy, very human — A–Z guide that covers must-know words, quick definitions, and pointers to learn more. I’ve sprinkled helpful links and resources so you can dive deeper when you want.

GaugeHow resources are referenced a few times below to help you find structured courses and question banks. This post is written like a human wrote it (yes — some typos, some odd spacing, the real deal).

Why learn A–Z terms? (short answer)

Mechanical engineering shows up in everything — transport, manufacturing, robotics, even your kettle. Knowing the common terms helps you read drawings, follow instructions, and answer interview-style problems. If you want practice questions, check mechanical engineering questions for sample interview Qs and quick revision.

How to use this list

Read it top to bottom, or jump to letters you don't know. Use the links when you want deeper examples or online courses. For basic tools and measurement devices, visit mechanical engineering instruments for practical guides and instrument lists.

A — G (key concepts)

A

• Acceleration — rate of change of velocity.

• Adiabatic process — no heat enters or leaves the system.

B

• Bearing — supports rotating shafts; critical in almost every machine.

• Bending moment — internal moment causing beam bending.

C

• Camshaft — controls valve timing in ICEs.

• Coolant — fluid used to remove heat; vital for engine life.

D

• Dynamics — forces and motion study.

• Deformation — shape change under load.

E

• Efficiency — useful output ÷ total input.

• Entropy — measure of disorder (yep, it’s real and annoyingly important).

F

• Friction — resists motion; sometimes friend, sometimes enemy.

• Flywheel — stores rotational energy; helps smooth engines.

G

• Gear — transmits torque via meshing teeth.

• Gauge — instrument for measurement — see more on mechanical instruments if you want practical examples.

H — N (common workshop and theory terms)

H

• Heat exchanger — transfers heat between fluids.

• Hydraulics — liquid power systems (think lifts, presses).

I

• Inertia — resistance to motion changes.

• Instrumentation — sensors + devices for measurement and control.

J

• Jig — guides tools; used in manufacturing for repeatability.

K

• Kinematics — motion without forces (useful for linkages).

• Kinetic energy — energy of motion.

L

• Lathe — machine tool for rotating workpieces.

• Lubrication — the small thing that makes bearings live longer.

M

• Moment of inertia — rotational resistance (shape matters!).

• Machining — removing material to shape parts.

N

• Newton’s laws — the 3 laws that kick off classical mechanics.

• Nozzle — shapes fluid exit, increases speed (think jets).

O — U (materials, testing, power)

O

• Orifice — a small opening, used to control fluid flow.

• Overhaul — deep inspection + repair — usually costly but necessary.

P

• Piston — converts fluid pressure to mechanical motion (or vice versa).

• Pump — moves fluids — centrifugal and positive-displacement types are common.

Q

• Quenching — rapid cooling to harden metals.

• Quality control — the process that keeps products within specs.

R

• Rotor — rotating part of a machine (motor or turbine).

• Radiator — dissipates heat from fluids, common in vehicles.

S

• Stress — internal force per area.

• Strain — deformation relative to original size.

T

• Torque — rotational force (twisting effect).

• Thermodynamics — study of heat and energy transfer.

U

• Ultrasonic testing — NDT method using sound waves to find cracks.

V — Z (final essentials)

V

• Velocity — speed with a direction.

• Valve — controls fluid flow.

W

• Weld — joining metals by melting them together.

• Watt — the SI unit of power.

X

• X-Ray inspection — NDT to see internal structures — often used in castings and welds.

Y

• Yield strength — stress where material permanently deforms.

Z

• Zero-point calibration — setting instrument reference to ensure accurate readings.

• Zinc plating — corrosion protection for metal surfaces.

Quick practical tips (hands-on)

1. Always note tolerances on drawings — a 0.1 mm difference might be a fail.

2. For measuring, prefer calibrated gauges; see Engineering Metrology for basics and common instruments.

3. When preparing for interviews, solve timed problems from mechanical engineering questions to build speed.

Useful course pointer

If you want structured lessons, try Mechanical Engineering Online Courses — they bundle theory with hands-on practice, and many of the topics above are covered with examples and quizzes.

Conclusion

This A–Z list is a working cheat-sheet — not exhaustive, but enough to get you comfortable in textbooks, workshops, and interviews. Revisit the tough terms, practice measuring and sketching parts, and use real tools often. If you want a printable PDF or a shorter 900-word version for quick study, I can make that next.

GaugeHow — keep learning, keep tinkering. GaugeHow — practice the questions, and the jargon will start sounding normal.

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