Pushrod
Pushrod turns up in 2 fields: automotive, mechanical. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Pushrod in automotive
A metal rod that transfers motion from the camshaft to the rocker arms in overhead valve engines.
A rigid metal tube or rod used in overhead valve engines to link the lifters riding on the block-mounted camshaft to the rocker arms on the cylinder head. As the camshaft turns, it pushes the rod upward, which pivots the rocker arm to open the intake or exhaust valve.
"Roll each pushrod on a flat piece of glass to check if they're bent before you reinstall them."
Pushrod in mechanical
A rigid metal shaft that transmits linear motion from a cam to a valve or lever.
A slender, solid or hollow rod used in mechanical linkages to transfer compressive force between distant components. In internal combustion engines, they ride on the camshaft followers and push upward on the rocker arms to open the cylinder valves. Because they operate under high compressive loads and rapid cycles, they must be highly resistant to buckling and bending to maintain precise timing.
"Check the clearance on the number three cylinder because I think we've a bent pushrod throwing off the timing."