rhizoverbBeta
DictionarynacelleStreamlined housing
noun

nacelle

nuh-SEL/nəˈsɛl/

A streamlined housing or compartment on an aircraft or wind turbine.

The streamlined nacelle encloses the aircraft engine beneath the wing.

Close view of a streamlined aircraft engine nacelle under a wing, showing enclosure around engine.
Etymology
nacelleLatinlittle ship

The “little ship” sense was reapplied to an airship’s gondola, then to an aircraft cockpit. It later extended to other housings, including streamlined enclosures for engines or equipment.

In context

CNATT MicroLearning1:59
it is always a good practice to overlook all conjoining engine nacelle panels for signs of cracking or misalignment
H-53 TFOA Securing Engine Cowling Nacelle Panels

More examples

  • The airplane's engines sit inside nacelles beneath its wings.
  • A technician inspects the equipment inside the wind turbine's nacelle.
  • Air flows smoothly around the engine nacelle.

Forms

nacelle · nacelles

Similar words

housing
A broader term for an enclosure, not necessarily streamlined.
pod
Often suggests a compact compartment mounted externally on an aircraft.