grease nipple: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical, Industrial
Quick answer
What does “grease nipple” mean?
A small, hollow, threaded fitting on a machine part through which lubricating grease is injected under pressure into a bearing or joint.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, hollow, threaded fitting on a machine part through which lubricating grease is injected under pressure into a bearing or joint.
A component of mechanical lubrication systems, often found on vehicles, industrial machinery, and agricultural equipment. It serves as a point of connection for a grease gun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in both varieties. However, in informal British contexts, one might occasionally hear the more generic 'grease point'.
Connotations
Purely technical; no additional connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to technical/manual contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “grease nipple” in a Sentence
[Verb] the grease nipple (with a grease gun)The grease nipple [is located] on the jointVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grease nipple” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You need to grease-nipple the linkage every 50 hours. (informal, verbed noun)
American English
- Make sure you grease-nipple the U-joints before winter. (informal, verbed noun)
adverb
British English
- He serviced it grease-nipple by grease-nipple. (extremely informal)
American English
- The manual lists them grease-nipple first.
adjective
British English
- The grease-nipple access panel was rusted shut.
American English
- The grease-nipple size is 1/4-inch NPT.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, only in engineering or mechanical design papers.
Everyday
Almost never used outside of mechanical tasks.
Technical
The primary and only common context. Found in repair manuals, parts catalogues, and workshop talk.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grease nipple”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grease nipple”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grease nipple”
- Calling it an 'oil nipple' (grease is thicker, applied under pressure).
- Confusing it with a 'drain plug' (which removes fluid, not adds grease).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively a technical term from mechanics, engineering, and maintenance.
A grease gun, which creates high pressure to force grease through the nipple's small hole into the component.
Yes, due to its anatomical meaning. However, in technical English (and historically), 'nipple' simply means a small, protruding connector, like on a pipe. Context makes the meaning clear.
Yes, they vary by thread type (metric, NPT), size, shape (straight, angled), and whether they have a built-in check valve.
A small, hollow, threaded fitting on a machine part through which lubricating grease is injected under pressure into a bearing or joint.
Grease nipple is usually technical, industrial in register.
Grease nipple: in British English it is pronounced /ɡriːs ˈnɪp.l̩/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡris ˈnɪp.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “grease the nipples (very informal, technical slang for performing routine lubrication)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a baby's bottle nipple, but for a machine: grease comes out of the 'grease nipple' when you 'feed' the machine with a grease gun.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MACHINE IS A BODY (The grease nipple is a 'feeding point' for lubricant, like a mouth).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a grease nipple?