Definition
The outer edge of a rotating compressor blade in a gas turbine engine — the part farthest from the hub, which passes very close to the inner wall of the compressor case as the rotor spins.
Plain English
The far end of each spinning blade inside a jet engine's compressor — the tip that sweeps just inside the engine casing as the blade rotates.
Context Anchor
Seen in turbine engine maintenance, compressor inspection, and discussions of blade clearance or blade rubbing.
Derivation
Compressor comes from Latin words meaning “to press together.” Blade refers to a flat, working piece, and tip means the outer end. Together, the phrase points to the end of the air-squeezing blade that runs closest to the engine case.
Why Pilots Care
Blade tips run with very tight clearance to the case to keep air from leaking past them. Damage, wear, or rubbing at the tip reduces compressor efficiency and can lead to engine performance loss or failure, so tips are a key inspection point.
Analogy
Think of a fan blade spinning inside a close-fitting ring. The end of the fan blade is like the compressor blade tip: it needs to be close to the ring, but not scrape it.
Intuition Check
Tip here means the physical outer end of the blade, not a suggestion or a small added piece. The important idea is the blade end and its clearance from the engine case.
Example Sentence 1
During the borescope inspection, the technician checked each compressor blade tip for nicks, curling, or signs of rubbing against the case.
Example Sentence 2
Damage to a compressor blade tip can lead to vibration and reduced engine performance.