cruise control
Definition
- Noun:
- An automatic control mechanism in a vehicle: A system that automatically maintains a vehicle's speed at a preset level, allowing the driver to operate the vehicle without using the accelerator pedal.
Usage
- Noun:
- I engaged the cruise control for the long highway drive.
- Modern cruise control systems can also adjust speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead.
Advanced Usage
- "to set the cruise control": to activate the system and select the desired speed.
- He set the cruise control to 65 miles per hour.
- "adaptive cruise control": a more advanced system that uses sensors or radar to automatically adjust the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe following distance from traffic ahead.
- Her new car is equipped with adaptive cruise control.
Variants and Related Words
- Cruise (verb): to travel smoothly at a constant speed.
- The car cruised effortlessly down the interstate.
Synonyms
- Speed control: a less common term for a similar automatic mechanism.
- Autocruise: a dated or brand-specific term for cruise control.
Related Phrases
- On cruise control: (idiomatic) operating automatically or with minimal effort or thought.
- After the initial setup, the project was on cruise control.
Noun
-
control mechanism for keeping an automobile at a set speed
