skip welding: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Industrial
Quick answer
What does “skip welding” mean?
A welding technique where a continuous weld bead is not produced.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A welding technique where a continuous weld bead is not produced; instead, short welds are applied with gaps left between them.
In welding, a method of joining metals using a pattern of intermittent welds, often used to reduce distortion, save material, or for applications where a full continuous weld is unnecessary. The spacing and length of the welds are specified.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Both use 'skip welding'. The concept and term are standard in technical manuals globally.
Connotations
Technical precision, controlled joint strength, efficiency in material use.
Frequency
Equally low frequency and confined to welding/fabrication contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “skip welding” in a Sentence
[Subject] performed skip welding on [Object].The drawing specifies a [Descriptor] skip weld pattern.Skip welding [Verb] the plates together.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skip welding” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fabricator will skip-weld the panels to minimise heat distortion.
- We need to skip-weld along this seam as per the drawing.
American English
- The welder skip-welded the frame according to the spec.
- Always skip-weld thin-gauge steel to prevent warping.
adverb
British English
- The joint was welded skip-style to meet the requirement.
- N/A
American English
- He welded the beam skip, leaving gaps for expansion.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The drawing shows a skip-weld pattern of 50mm welds at 150mm centres.
- Use a skip-weld technique here.
American English
- Follow the skip-weld sequence on the blueprint.
- The skip-weld specification calls for three-inch stitches.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in procurement or specification documents for fabricated metal goods.
Academic
Found in engineering textbooks, papers on welding metallurgy, or structural design.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used in welding procedure specifications (WPS), engineering drawings, fabrication workshops, and quality control.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skip welding”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “skip welding”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skip welding”
- Using 'skip welding' to mean 'to avoid welding altogether'.
- Confusing it with the specific welding process (e.g., 'skip MIG welding') rather than the pattern.
- Incorrectly assuming all intermittent welds are 'skip welds' (specific patterns exist).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not. It is used where the full strength of a continuous weld is not required, or where its benefits (like reduced distortion) outweigh the need for full continuity.
Yes, skip welding refers to the pattern, not the process. Common processes like MIG, TIG, or Stick welding can all be used to produce a skip weld.
This is a typical specification meaning each weld segment ('stitch') should be 2 inches long, with a gap of 6 inches from the start of one weld to the start of the next.
In common technical usage, they are often used synonymously to describe intermittent welding. However, some standards or industries may define subtle differences in the start/stop patterns.
A welding technique where a continuous weld bead is not produced.
Skip welding is usually technical / industrial in register.
Skip welding: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskɪp ˈweldɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskɪp ˈwɛldɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a skipping rope hitting the ground at intervals—'skip welding' touches the metal only at intervals, not continuously.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DASHED LINE IS A SKIP WELD. (The visual pattern on a drawing directly represents the physical weld.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of skip welding?