Engineering English
Wrench
Tools, Equipment & Measurements · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A tool with shaped jaws or a closed ring that grips a nut, bolt head or fitting so that torque can be applied to tighten or loosen it. Its length provides the lever arm that converts hand force into turning moment.
Example in context
“The technician selected a wrench of the correct size so that the jaws sat fully on the flats and the bolt head was not rounded off.”
“Teknisyen doğru ölçüde bir anahtar seçti; böylece ağızlar yüzeylere tam oturdu ve cıvata başı yuvarlanmadı.”
Where engineers use it
Used constantly in mechanical assembly, piping work and vehicle maintenance whenever threaded fasteners must be turned. Engineers specify wrench sizes and access clearance in designs so that joints can actually be assembled and serviced.
Synonyms: spanner
Practice: can you use “Wrench” at work?
During a workshop assessment you must identify which wrench type suits a confined flange joint and justify your choice in terms of access, grip and fastener protection.
Show a model answer
“Use the correct wrench size to avoid damaging the bolt head.”
“Wrench” in 21 languages
| English | Wrench |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Anahtar |
| French | Clé |
| German | Schraubenschlüssel |
| Spanish | Llave |
| Chinese | 扳手 |
| Arabic | مفتاح ربط |
| Portuguese | Chave de aperto |
| Russian | Гаечный ключ |
| Japanese | レンチ |
| Italian | Chiave |
| Vietnamese | Cờ lê |
| Hindi | रिंच |
| Thai | ประแจ |
| Indonesian | Kunci pas |
| Korean | 렌치 |
| Bengali | রেঞ্চ |
| Dutch | Steeksleutel |
| Swedish | Skruvnyckel |
| Finnish | Kiintoavain |
| Ukrainian | Гайковий ключ |
Frequently asked questions
What does Wrench mean in engineering?
A tool with shaped jaws or a closed ring that grips a nut, bolt head or fitting so that torque can be applied to tighten or loosen it. Its length provides the lever arm that converts hand force into turning moment. In Tools, Equipment & Measurements, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Wrench?
Wrench is pronounced /rɛntʃ/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Wrench used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The technician selected a wrench of the correct size so that the jaws sat fully on the flats and the bolt head was not rounded off.”
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