Origin: 1500-1600 Latin cylindrus, from Greek, from kylindein to roll
1math, geometry a shape which has two circular ends and straight sides2an object or container such as a can which is in the shape of a cylinder: a cylinder of oxygen3the tube within which a piston moves forward and backward in an engine: a four-cylinder engine4run/hit/fire on all cylinders to operate or perform very well: When we’re hitting on all cylinders, we’re hard to beat. [Origin: 1500–1600 Latin cylindrus, from Greek, from kylindein to roll]