noun
airlock
Airlock (noun) means a sealed chamber with two doors that lets people or objects pass between areas of different air pressure, such as on a spacecraft or submarine, without letting the pressure equalize suddenly. Example: “The astronauts cycled through the airlock before their spacewalk.”
noun
1
A sealed chamber with two doors that lets people or objects pass between areas of different air pressure, such as on a spacecraft or submarine, without letting the pressure equalize suddenly.
"The astronauts cycled through the airlock before their spacewalk."
"A small airlock kept the pressurized cabin sealed off from the outside."
2
An unwanted bubble of trapped air that blocks the flow of liquid in a pipe.
"The pump stalled because an airlock had formed in the hose."
How to use airlock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sealed doorway system that keeps air pressure separate on each side, or a stray air bubble stuck in a pipe.
Common pairings
pass through an airlock
an airlock chamber
clear an airlock
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- airlocks
- Past tense
- airlocked
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The astronauts cycled through the _____ before their spacewalk.
Etymology
From air + lock, describing a chamber that "locks" air in or out, similar to how a canal lock manages water levels.
Synonyms
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air lock
Frequently asked questions
What does “airlock” mean?
The word “airlock” means a sealed chamber with two doors that lets people or objects pass between areas of different air pressure, such as on a spacecraft or submarine, without letting the pressure equalize suddenly. In plain terms, a sealed doorway system that keeps air pressure separate on each side, or a stray air bubble stuck in a pipe.
How do you use “airlock” in a sentence?
Here is “airlock” used in a sentence: “The astronauts cycled through the airlock before their spacewalk.”
What part of speech is “airlock”?
“Airlock” is a noun.
How many meanings does “airlock” have?
“Airlock” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sealed chamber with two doors that lets people or objects pass between areas of different air pressure, such as on a spacecraft or submarine, without letting the pressure equalize suddenly.
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