airlocks
|air-locks|
🇺🇸
/ˈɛrˌlɑks/
🇬🇧
/ˈeəˌlɒks/
(airlock)
sealed chamber
Etymology
'airlock' originates from the combination of 'air' and 'lock', where 'air' refers to the atmosphere and 'lock' refers to a mechanism for securing or sealing.
'airlock' was first used in the context of submarines and later adapted for use in spacecraft.
Initially, it meant 'a device to prevent air escape', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a chamber that allows passage between areas of different pressure, typically used in spacecraft or submarines.
The astronauts entered the airlock before stepping out into space.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a device used to prevent the escape of air or gas from a sealed environment.
The laboratory uses an airlock to maintain a sterile environment.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/08 09:36