Technical Vocabulary: Engineering, Aviation, and Maritime Terms

Posted on Mar 25, 2025 in Technology

Technical Vocabulary: Engineering, Aviation, and Maritime

Drift: To be carried along in an uncontrolled way by currents of air or water.
Drag: To move slowly or with effort.
Log: To enter in a record, as of a ship or an aircraft.
Overboard: From on board a vessel into the water.
Surveying: Recording the precise positions of natural features and structures, often in order to draw up maps or plans (a survey/a surveyor).
Geological: Related to the ground/rocks/soil (geology, a geologist).
Civil Engineering: The design and construction of large structures such as bridges, dams, and skyscrapers, and infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, and airports.
Avionics: Electronic systems in aviation, i.e., in planes and helicopters.
Maritime: Related to the sea/shipping.
Payload: Meaning load, usually used in the context of space.
Orbital Space: The height above which objects orbit the Earth, rather than falling rapidly back to Earth.
Geostationary Orbit: Orbiting at the same speed as the Earth spins in order to remain above the same point, above the equator, on the Earth’s surface.
Remote Control: Controlled from a distance.

Magnetism: Force of attraction.
Galvanised: Coated with zinc (Zn) to prevent rusting.
Recyclable: Can be recycled.
Chromium: Metals added to steel to make stainless steel.
Traces: Small quantities.
Insulation: Both electrical insulation and thermal insulation.
Wire: Single strand of metal.
Scrap: Waste material intended for recycling.
Alloy: A mixture of metals sometimes containing a non-metal, for example, carbon in steel.
Brass: An alloy of copper, zinc, and often lead (Pb).
Bronze: An alloy of copper and tin.
Melting Down: Using heat to change the state of a substance from solid to liquid.
Energy-Intensive: Using a lot of energy.
Electrolysis: Passing an electrical current through a liquid or solid in order to separate chemical compounds.
Ore: Mineral form from which metal is extracted.
Hardwood: Timber from deciduous trees.
Softwood: Timber from pine trees.

Ironmongery: Collective term for small metal items commonly used in buildings, for example, door handles, hinges, screws, nails.
Kinetic Energy: Energy in the form of movement, for example, a spinning wheel.
Deceleration: Reducing speed.
Acceleration: Increasing speed.
Asbestos: A fibrous material derived from rock that was used as an insulating material.
Composite: Combined materials, consists of a bulk material called a matrix, reinforced with fibers or bars, for example, glass.
Exhaust: System for evacuating smoke or gases.
Puncture: Hole causing a leak of air or liquid, for example, in a tire.
Tear: Resistance to tearing.
Tension: A stretching force.
Revolution: One turn of something.
Lifespan: The length of time for which a person, animal, or thing exists.

Live: The wire through which current flows into an appliance. Also means a circuit is energized.
Neutral: The wire through which current flows out of the appliance.
Earth: The electrical connection between the circuit and the ground.
Slot: An elongated aperture or groove, such as one in a vending machine for inserting a coin.
Pin: A short, stiff, straight piece of wire pointed at one end and either rounded or having a flattened head at the other: used mainly for fastening temporarily.
Blade: The thin flattish part of various tools, implements, etc., as of a propeller, turbine, etc.
Ridge: A long, narrow upper section or crest.
Groove: A long, narrow channel or furrow, especially one cut into wood by a tool.
Recess: An indentation or small hollow.
Flush: Having surfaces in the same plane.
Cluster: Group, situated close together.
Helium: A gas less dense than air.
Makeshift: Put together quickly or in an amateur way, often a temporary assembly.
Airgun: A gun that fires pellets propelled by compressed air.
Controlled Airspace: Areas, mostly around airports, where pilots cannot fly unless they are being directed by air traffic controllers.