spare part: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, with technical/business leanings in literal sense; informal/idiomatic in metaphorical sense.
Quick answer
What does “spare part” mean?
A component kept in reserve to replace a broken or worn-out part of a machine or system.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A component kept in reserve to replace a broken or worn-out part of a machine or system.
Any person or element that is kept available but not essential until needed; metaphorically, someone who is underutilized or seen as expendable within a group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The metaphorical use for a person is slightly more common in BrE colloquial speech.
Connotations
In both: Literal = neutral/functional. Metaphorical = often implies redundancy, lack of integration, or being underused.
Frequency
Higher frequency in technical and manufacturing contexts. The idiom 'feel like a spare part' is predominantly British.
Grammar
How to Use “spare part” in a Sentence
[verb] + spare part(s) (e.g., order, fit, replace)spare part + [verb] (e.g., arrived, failed, costs)[adjective] + spare part (e.g., critical, genuine, obsolete)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spare part” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The garage keeps a vast stock of spare parts for classic cars.
- He felt like a complete spare part at the corporate team-building event.
American English
- The manufacturer guarantees availability of spare parts for ten years.
- After the restructuring, several managers were treated like spare parts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Managing inventory of spare parts is crucial for minimizing equipment downtime.
Academic
The study analyzed the supply chain resilience for critical industrial spare parts.
Everyday
The washing machine broke, and we're waiting for a spare part to arrive.
Technical
Ensure you use the manufacturer's genuine spare part to maintain the warranty.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spare part”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spare part”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spare part”
- Using 'spare part' as a verb (incorrect: 'We need to spare part the engine.' Correct: 'We need to replace a part.'). Confusing 'spare part' (component) with 'spare' (adjective meaning extra).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-word compound noun, typically written as separate words. Hyphenation (spare-part) is less common but occasionally seen in adjectival use (e.g., spare-part surgery).
No, it is only a noun. You cannot 'spare part' something. Use verbs like 'replace', 'fit', or 'install' with it.
A spare part is an identical replacement for a broken component essential for function. An accessory is an optional add-on that is not critical for core operation.
No, it is informal and primarily used in British English. It describes a feeling of being useless or out of place in a social or work situation.
A component kept in reserve to replace a broken or worn-out part of a machine or system.
Spare part: in British English it is pronounced /speə pɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /sper pɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “feel like a spare part (BrE: to feel unnecessary or excluded)”
- “a spare part in the machine (metaphor for a replaceable person)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPARE tire. A SPARE PART is an extra component you keep for when the main one fails.
Conceptual Metaphor
MACHINES ARE BODIES (a part can fail and be replaced); ORGANIZATIONS ARE MACHINES (people can be seen as replaceable components).
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, calling someone 'a spare part' typically implies they are: