side play

English

Noun

side play (uncountable)

1. (mechanical engineering) Lateral freedom of movement in moving parts.
   • 1939 June, Lieut.-Colonel K. H. Reed, “Locomotives of the B.C.D.R.”, in Railway Magazine, pages 416, 422:

     The leading end of the coupling rod is provided with ½-in. side-play and self-aligning bearings to take the sharp curves on the dock sidings, which have a radius of 170 ft. The bogie has a side-play of 5 in.

   • 1959 June, “The first "Peak" class 2,300 h.p. diesel-electric locomotive for B.R.”, in Trains Illustrated, page 296:

     Side play is allowed on the middle driving axle and its motor has freedom to move sideways with the axle, but the motors on the two outer driving axles are resiliently held irrespective of movement of the axles, which have reduced side-play.

References

• “side play”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “side play”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.