or Before Top Dead Center: Any position of the piston in the cylinder bore before its highest point in the stroke (TDC). BTDC is measured in degrees of crankshaft rotation before TDC. For example, the point at which the intake valve opens (IVO) may be indicated as 30-degrees BTDC. In other words, the intake valve would open 30 degrees before the intake stroke begins (the intake stroke begins at TDC).

BEFORE TOP DEAD CENTER. The point just before the piston reaches the top of its travel on the compression stroke.

Acronym which stands for “before top dead center”, as used in describing engine timing.