What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
treenail
Example
The treenails held the planks securely to the ship's frame. [treenails: noun]
Example
He used a treenail to join the two pieces of wood together. [treenail: verb]
trunnion
Example
The cannon was mounted on its trunnions for firing. [trunnions: noun]
Example
He adjusted the machine's trunnion to change the angle of the cutting blade. [trunnion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trunnion is more commonly used than treenail in modern language, especially in mechanical or engineering contexts. Treenail is a less common term that is mainly used in traditional woodworking or shipbuilding.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between treenail and trunnion?
Both treenail and trunnion are technical terms that are more likely to be used in formal or specialized contexts rather than everyday conversation. However, trunnion is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels than treenail.