engineering
[noun]
a field of study that deals with the building, designing, developing, etc. of structures, bridges, or machines
Ex:
Advanced Vocabulary for TOEFL - Engineering and Electronics
Here you will learn some English words about engineering and electronics, such as "transistor", "electrode", "voltage", etc. that are needed for the TOEFL exam.
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electronics
[noun]
the branch of physics and electrical engineering that focuses on designing circuits that use transistors and microchips
transistor
[noun]
a small semiconductor device, used in television and radio sets, able to amplify or rectify an electric current
semiconductor
[noun]
a solid substance that conducts electricity or heat better than insulators, but not as well as most metals
short circuit
[noun]
a failure in a circuit caused when the electricity flows in the wrong route due to wire damage or fault in the connections of wires
electrode
[noun]
a conductor through which electricity travels to or from an object, such as batteries
transformer
[noun]
an electric device that is used to increase or decrease the voltage of an alternating current
Ex:
The
transformer
in
the
substation
plays
a
crucial
role
in
distributing
electricity
to
different
parts
of
the
city
.
transmitter
[noun]
a piece of electronic equipment used for sending electromagnetic waves carrying radio or television signals
to conduct
[verb]
to allow heat or electricity be transmitted
Ex:
Water
can
conduct
electricity
,
which
is
why
it
's
dangerous
around
live wires
.
to screw
[verb]
to firmly attach or tighten something using a turning metal fastener
Ex:
The
worker
screws
the
brackets
onto
the
frame
to
install
the
shelving
unit
.
bolt
[noun]
a piece of metal like a thick nail without a point that used to secure assembled parts by passing through holes and tightening with a nut
Ex:
Please
hand
me
the
wrench
so
I
can
loosen
the
bolt
.
nut
[noun]
a flat piece of metal with a hole in the middle through which a bolt is put to secure or fasten objects together
Ex:
She
replaced
the
missing
nut
on
the
bolt
to
prevent
the
assembly
from
coming
loose
.
cog
[noun]
a wheel with a set of square or triangular teeth sticking out around the edge that fits into the edge of a similar wheel, causing both wheels to turn
Ex:
During
maintenance
,
technicians
replaced
the
worn
cogs
in
the
conveyor system
to
prevent
any
disruptions
in
production
.
diode
[noun]
an electronic device with two terminals, typically allowing the flow of current in one direction only
fuse
[noun]
an electrical device that is used to stop or control the flow of current in a circuit in case it is too strong
Ex:
generator
[noun]
a machine that produces electricity by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy
Ex:
Diesel
generators
are
commonly
used
as
backup
power
sources
in case of
electrical
grid
failures
.
crank
[noun]
a device that allows movement between mechanical parts of a machine or converts backward and forward motion into circular movement
Ex:
Engineers
designed
a
crank
system
to
convert
linear
motion
into
rotational
motion
in
the
machinery
.
shaft
[noun]
a metal bar in an engine that enables movement and power to be transmitted from one part to another
thermostat
[noun]
an instrument that automatically controls the temperature of a room, machine, etc.
Ex:
safety valve
[noun]
a device that allows steam, liquid, etc. to escape a machine, if the pressure inside the machine becomes too high
relay
[noun]
an electronic device that uses a small electrical current to control a larger current, acting like an automatic switch
Ex:
The
security system
uses
a
relay
to
activate
the
alarm
when
the
sensors
detect
movement
.
oscillator
[noun]
a piece of equipment for generating oscillating electric currents or voltages by non-mechanical means
insulator
[noun]
a substance that doesn't conduct heat, sound, etc.
Ex:
The
insulator
in
the
wire
prevents
electricity
from
escaping
.
solar cell
[noun]
a device that converts the energy of the sun into electricity
Ex:
Advances
in
solar cell
technology
have
led
to
more
efficient
and
affordable
solar energy
systems
.
to rewire
[verb]
to replace or install new electrical wiring in something, like a building or a machine
Ex:
He
decided
to
rewire
the
lighting
system
in
the
living room
for
better
brightness
.
alternating current
[noun]
an electric current that reverses direction periodically, typically used in power distribution systems due to its efficiency in long-distance transmission
Ex:
The
power
generated
by
most
electrical
generators
,
including
those
in power
plants
,
is
in
the
form
of
alternating current
.