air lock

¹

noun

1. Civil Engineering. an airtight chamber permitting passage to or from a space, as in a caisson, in which the air is kept under pressure.
2. the impedance in the functioning of a pump or a system of piping caused by the presence of an air bubble; vapor lock.

air-lock

²

[ air-lok ]

verb (used with object)

1. to place in or confine to an air lock:

   to air-lock divers before they descend.

Word History and Origins

Origin of air lock¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of air lock²

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Anticipation and tension grew as the crew prepared to open the hatch on the craft that has no air lock, or doorway between the vacuum outside and the rest of the spacecraft.

From BBC

The company said the issues were caused by "air locks" in the network as it re-pressurises and its teams had been working throughout the night.

From BBC

The company said that while water levels return to normal there is a risk of air locks developing, which could cause temporary supply interruptions.

From BBC

Then, in an air lock and still suited, each will take a 10-minute shower that sprays them from all sides with a chemical detergent.

From New York Times

Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov, on their first spacewalk, spent nearly two hours doing extra leak checks before exiting from an air lock.

From Seattle Times