Pistons
Definition
Plural form of 'piston': a disk or short cylinder that fits closely within a cylindrical tube (cylinder) in an engine or pump, moving back and forth under fluid pressure to convert energy into mechanical motion.
The Detroit Pistons, a professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA), known for their gritty 'Bad Boys' era in the 1980s and 1990s.
Examples
The old muscle car's pistons roared like a caffeinated dragon as it peeled out of the driveway.
Engineers tinkered with lightweight pistons to squeeze more horsepower from the hybrid engine without waking the neighbors.
The Pistons pulled off a comeback dunk-fest, leaving fans wondering if their defense was on vacation.
After the tune-up, my pistons were purring smoother than a cat in a sunbeam—until I hit that pothole.