What does "boulon" mean in French?

The term "boulon" in French translates to "bolt" in English. A bolt is a type of fastener that consists of a cylindrical body with a head on one end and a helical ridge (thread) on the other end. Bolts are typically used in conjunction with a nut, where the nut is threaded onto the bolt to hold objects together securely. This understanding is crucial in fields involving mechanics, construction, or engineering, where different fasteners play specific roles.

While "nut," "washer," and "screw" are related to fastening mechanisms, they refer to different components. A nut is designed to fit onto a bolt; a washer serves as a spacer or a load distribution element, usually between the nut and the surface being fastened; a screw is a different type of fastener that typically has a sharp point and is meant to be driven into materials for fastening by creating its own thread. Thus, understanding the precise meaning of "boulon" as "bolt" clarifies its role in the context of fastening systems.