cilindro
“cilindro” means “cylinder” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
cylinder
Also: roller, drum
📝 In Action
Dibuja un cilindro en tu cuaderno.
A1Draw a cylinder in your notebook.
La base de la columna tiene forma de cilindro.
A2The base of the column is shaped like a cylinder.
El rodillo es un cilindro de metal muy pesado.
B1The roller is a very heavy metal cylinder.
cylinder
📝 In Action
Mi coche tiene un motor de cuatro cilindros.
A2My car has a four-cylinder engine.
Uno de los cilindros está fallando.
B2One of the cylinders is failing.
Este motor de seis cilindros es muy potente.
B1This six-cylinder engine is very powerful.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cilindro
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'a six-cylinder engine' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'cylindrus', which comes from the Greek word 'kylindros' meaning 'a roller' or 'to roll'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'cilindro' only refer to the shape?
No, while it means the geometric shape, it is most commonly used in everyday Spanish to refer to engine parts in cars or motorcycles.
What is 'cilindrada'?
It refers to the total volume of all cylinders in an engine, often used to describe how powerful a motorcycle or car is (e.g., a 500cc bike).
Is it the same word in all Spanish-speaking countries?
Yes, 'cilindro' is the standard term used globally, though the pronunciation of the 'c' changes between Spain (th) and Latin America (s).