spare part
Mechanic's shelf stock
A spare part is a replacement component kept on hand for when an original part fails or wears out: We keep spare parts for the older machines.
The term applies mainly to mechanical and electronic equipment—cars, appliances, industrial machinery.
In British slang, to feel like a spare part is to feel useless or out of place in a situation.
What takes another's place
- componentElement of a system
- moduleIndependent functional component
- assemblyConstructing from components
- pieceA portion or segment
fitting · hardware · gasket · bearing · bolt · screw · nut · washer
Restoring proper function
- rebuildRestore after damage
- retrofitUpdate existing equipment
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- installationProcess of putting in
substitute · replacement · technician · mechanic · workshop · breakdown · malfunction · patching
Accumulated reserve supply
- reserveSupply kept back
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
- supplyFurnish or stock
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
warehouse · catalog · bin · shelf · stock · reorder · availability · lead time
Ready substitute awaiting use
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- auxiliaryGiving additional support
- supplementalAdded to complete
extra · interchangeable · modular · duplicate · fail-safe · emergency · precautionary · insurance
Performing routine maintenance
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
- refurbishmentRenewal of worn items
- restorationReturning something to condition
- tune-upRoutine vehicle maintenance
preventive · inspection · lubrication · calibration · adjustment · troubleshooting · upkeep · wear and tear
replacement
What takes another's place
- componentElement of a system
- moduleIndependent functional component
- assemblyConstructing from components
piece · fitting · hardware · gasket · bearing · bolt · screw · nut · washer · flange
fixing
Restoring proper function
installation · substitute · replacement · technician · mechanic · workshop · breakdown · malfunction · patching · swapping
stockpile
Accumulated reserve supply
backup · warehouse · catalog · bin · shelf · stock · reorder · availability · lead time · sourcing
standby
Ready substitute awaiting use
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- auxiliaryGiving additional support
supplemental · extra · interchangeable · modular · duplicate · fail-safe · emergency · precautionary · insurance
servicing
Performing routine maintenance
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
- refurbishmentRenewal of worn items
- restorationReturning something to condition
tune-up · preventive · inspection · lubrication · calibration · adjustment · troubleshooting · upkeep · wear and tear · diagnostics
- Repair & Maintenancefix, mend, patch, restore, rebuild
- extrasextra, add-ons, add-on, extras, addition
- piezaspuzzle piece, chess piece, fragment, segment, component
- expendabledisposable, replaceable, dispensable, expendable, redundant
- partspiece, section, segment, portion, element
- unwantedreject, outcast, pariah, uninvited guest, intruder