jake brake

noun

Especially on trucks, an engine compression release braking system that opens the exhaust valves in each cylinder near the top of their compression strokes in order to slow the vehicle; an engine retarder.

Similar
Jacobs brake
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Meanings

nounjake brake (plural jake brakes)

plural jake brakes · alternative Jake brake · alternative Jake Brake · alternative jakebrake · alternative JakeBrake

  1. slangEspecially on trucks, an engine compression release braking system that opens the exhaust valves in each cylinder near the top of their compression strokes in order to slow the vehicle; an engine retarder.

    Synonyms: Jacobs brake

Synonyms & antonyms

nounEspecially on trucks, an engine compression release braking system that opens the exhaust valves in each cylinder near the top of their compression strokes in order to slow the vehicle; an engine retarder.

Similar
Jacobs brake

Origin

From JakeBrake, an abbreviation for the Jacobs brand name of engine braking systems.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch motorrem
  • motorremengine compression brake
Cite this entry
APA

jake brake. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/jake%20brake

MLA

“jake brake.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/jake%20brake. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “jake brake,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/jake%20brake.

Source: jake brake on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.