grease cup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “grease cup” mean?
A small, capped metal reservoir, typically found on older machinery, designed to hold lubricating grease which is fed slowly to a bearing via a screw mechanism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, capped metal reservoir, typically found on older machinery, designed to hold lubricating grease which is fed slowly to a bearing via a screw mechanism.
A historical or specialized mechanical component used for lubrication; metaphorically, can refer to any basic, manual system of maintenance or provision.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the technical term itself, though the machinery on which it was commonly found (e.g., vintage British vs. American industrial equipment) might differ. The vowel sound in 'grease' follows the general BrE/AmE pattern.
Connotations
Strongly connotes early 20th-century engineering, workshop environments, and manual maintenance in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally rare and dated in both varieties. Likely to be encountered only in historical texts, restoration manuals, or among mechanics working on antique machinery.
Grammar
How to Use “grease cup” in a Sentence
[Machine/Part] has a grease cup.The mechanic filled [the/its] grease cup.Apply grease via the grease cup on the [bearing/shaft].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grease cup” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You need to grease-cup the main bearing quarterly.
American English
- He grease-cupped the old lathe's spindle.
adjective
British English
- The grease-cup lubrication method is quite antiquated.
American English
- It's a grease-cup system, not a modern one.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or technical papers on the evolution of mechanical engineering and lubrication systems.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by hobbyists restoring old cars, farm equipment, or machinery.
Technical
The primary domain, but even here it's a dated term. Used in maintenance manuals for vintage equipment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grease cup”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grease cup”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grease cup”
- Confusing 'grease cup' with a general 'oil can' or 'grease gun'. A grease cup is a fixed, threaded component, not a handheld tool.
- Using it to describe modern lubrication systems.
- Incorrect stress: it's a compound noun with primary stress on 'grease' /'ɡriːs ˌkʌp/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A grease cup is an older, cup-shaped reservoir you fill and screw down to push grease in. A grease/zerk fitting is a modern, small nipple you connect a grease gun to for a high-pressure injection.
It would be incorrect and sound anachronistic. Modern machines use sealed bearings, grease fittings, or automatic lubrication systems.
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized term. Most English speakers, even many mechanics, may not know it unless they work with antique machinery.
While not a standard dictionary verb, in technical jargon, it can be used to mean 'to lubricate via a grease cup'. (e.g., 'Remember to grease-cup the main bearing.')
A small, capped metal reservoir, typically found on older machinery, designed to hold lubricating grease which is fed slowly to a bearing via a screw mechanism.
Grease cup is usually technical/historical in register.
Grease cup: in British English it is pronounced /ɡriːs kʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡris kʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That project is held together with duct tape and a grease cup.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an old-fashioned cup of coffee, but instead of coffee, it's filled with thick grease to 'feed' a machine part.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROVISION IS FEEDING (The cup 'feeds' grease to the bearing.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the term 'grease cup' today?