cam
cam — noun
- camsingular
- camsplural
1. a camera, often a small one, that records or sends live pictures from a particul
a camera, often a small one, that records or sends live pictures from a particular place
Mei clipped a tiny cam above the bakery door overnight.
security cam recording a place
The ski instructor checked his helmet cam before the class began.
helmet cam for action recording
Layla watched the baby cam on her phone during lunch.
A storm knocked the garden cam offline just before sunset.
文法句型
dash cam
baby cam
helmet cam
cam feed
用法筆記
Common in product names such as dash cam, body cam, and baby cam. It is less formal and more limited in use than the full word camera.
2. the camshaft in an engine, which opens and closes the valves as it turns
the camshaft in an engine, which opens and closes the valves as it turns
The mechanic replaced the worn cam after the engine kept misfiring.
cam = camshaft in engine repair
Anthony ordered a new cam for the rebuilt race engine.
Oil leaked onto the cam cover during the road test.
The old motorcycle ran better after Samir adjusted the cam timing.
- camshaft
the full technical term; cam is the shortened garage form
文法句型
replace the cam
cam timing
twin cam engine
用法筆記
Used mainly by mechanics and car enthusiasts as a short form of camshaft. Unlike sense 3, it refers specifically to the shaft in an engine, not any shaped moving part.
常見錯誤
3. a shaped part in a machine that turns spinning movement into repeated pushing, l
a shaped part in a machine that turns spinning movement into repeated pushing, lifting, or sliding movement
A steel cam lifted the gate each time the wheel turned.
cam converts turning into lifting motion
Chidi sketched a cam that would move the stamp up and down.
The toy's cam pushed the bird forward with every crank.
Engineers swapped the cam to change the arm's motion.
文法句型
a cam lifts
swap the cam
cam motion
用法筆記
This technical sense is broader than sense 2. It can describe many machines, not only engine parts.
cam — abbreviation
1. the abbreviation CAM, used for computer-aided manufacturing, where computers hel
the abbreviation CAM, used for computer-aided manufacturing, where computers help control how goods are made
The factory adopted CAM software to cut metal parts faster.
CAM software in production work
Ignacio learned CAM before programming the milling machine at work.
The design team linked CAD and CAM for the new bicycle frame.
A CAM system sent tool paths directly to the workshop machines.
- computer-aided manufacturing
the full expanded form
文法句型
CAM software
CAM system
CAD and CAM
用法筆記
Usually written in capitals. It often appears with CAD when people describe the move from digital design to factory production.
常見錯誤
2. the abbreviation CAM, used for medical treatments outside standard medicine, oft
the abbreviation CAM, used for medical treatments outside standard medicine, often alongside it or instead of it
The clinic offers CAM such as acupuncture and herbal care.
CAM as a group of therapies
Constanza asked whether CAM could ease her long-term back pain.
The hospital leaflet explains when CAM should support regular treatment.
Some patients discuss CAM with their doctor before changing medicines.
- alternative medicine
often refers more strongly to treatment used instead of standard care
- complementary medicine
emphasizes treatment used together with regular medical care
文法句型
offer CAM
use CAM
discuss CAM with a doctor
用法筆記
Usually written in capitals in health writing. It names a broad group of therapies, not one single treatment.