spark plug: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Technical, Figurative, General
Quick answer
What does “spark plug” mean?
A device in an internal combustion engine that produces an electric spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device in an internal combustion engine that produces an electric spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder.
A person or thing that serves as a catalyst, initiating change, energy, or activity within a group or situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'spark plug' is standard in both. British English occasionally uses the term 'sparking plug', especially in older texts, but 'spark plug' is now dominant.
Connotations
Identical in technical and figurative use.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English media due to the greater cultural prominence of automotive DIY. The figurative use is equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “spark plug” in a Sentence
The [mechanic] replaced [the] spark plug.[Person] is the spark plug of [group/activity].The engine misfired due to a [faulty] spark plug.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'Our new marketing director is the spark plug for our latest campaign.'
Academic
Rare outside engineering or physics papers describing combustion.
Everyday
Technical: 'The car won't start; I think it needs a new spark plug.' Figurative: 'We need a spark plug to liven up this meeting.'
Technical
A precisely engineered component with specific heat range, thread size, and gap specifications, crucial for ignition timing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spark plug”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spark plug”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spark plug”
- Writing it as one word: 'sparkplug' (acceptable variant, but 'spark plug' is standard).
- Confusing it with 'glow plug' (used in diesel engines).
- Using the figurative sense in highly formal contexts where it may seem too colloquial.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'spark plug' is exclusively a noun. You can 'replace' or 'change' a spark plug. The verb related to its function is 'to spark'.
It is almost always positive, describing someone who energises and initiates positive action. A negative instigator would more likely be called an 'instigator' or 'agitator'.
This is a technical question outside pure linguistics, but common usage suggests 'It depends on the vehicle, but typically every 30,000 to 100,000 miles.'
A spark plug (in petrol/gasoline engines) creates an electric spark. A glow plug (in diesel engines) heats up to aid ignition in cold conditions; it does not produce a spark.
A device in an internal combustion engine that produces an electric spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder.
Spark plug is usually technical, figurative, general in register.
Spark plug: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɑːk plʌɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɑrk ˌplʌɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “She's the spark plug of the team.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A SPARK from the PLUG makes the engine GO.' For the figurative meaning: 'A lively person PLUGS IN energy and SPARKS action.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON/THING THAT INITIATES ACTION IS A SPARK PLUG (PURPOSE/ENERGY IS ELECTRICITY).
Practice
Quiz
What is the PRIMARY function of a spark plug in a petrol engine?