Definition
Solderless electrical terminals attached to the end of a wire by squeezing (crimping) a metal sleeve around the stripped wire with a special crimping tool. The mechanical pressure deforms the sleeve and wire together, forming a gas-tight electrical and mechanical connection without the use of heat or solder.
Plain English
Small metal end-fittings that attach to a wire by being squeezed onto it with a hand tool, giving the wire a clean connector that can be screwed or plugged into something.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical maintenance, wiring repairs, avionics installation, and inspections of battery, switch, and circuit connections.
Derivation
Crimp comes from a Low German word meaning to press or pinch together. The name describes exactly what happens: the terminal is pinched onto the wire to hold it in place.
Why Pilots Care
Provides vibration-resistant connections essential for reliable aircraft electrical systems where loose joints could lead to intermittent failures or safety issues.
Intuition Check
Do not think of “terminal” as an airport building here. In this context, a terminal is the end fitting on a wire where an electrical connection is made.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic replaced the corroded landing light wiring and finished each lead with crimp-on terminals before bolting them to the bus.
Example Sentence 2
Before flight, the pilot's preflight check included verifying that all crimp-on terminals in the battery compartment remained secure.