ball cock

or ballcock

noun

1. a device for regulating the supply of water in a tank, cistern, or the like, consisting essentially of a valve connected to a hollow floating ball which by its rise or fall shuts or opens the valve.

ball cock

noun

1. a device for regulating the flow of a liquid into a tank, cistern, etc, consisting of a floating ball mounted at one end of an arm and a valve on the other end that opens and closes as the ball falls and rises with the water level in the cistern

Word History and Origins

Origin of ball cock¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

It should have a large evaporating vessel, with a ball-cock to supply it.

From Project Gutenberg

On top of the generator is a tipping water-bucket I supplied with water through a ball cock.

From Project Gutenberg

In the larger sizes the tank is automatically refilled from a water service through a ball-cock.

From Project Gutenberg

A tank situated in the roof, and fed from the main by a ball-cock valve, communicates with A through the siphon pipe S.

From Project Gutenberg

This cistern is fitted with a ball-cock, by which arrangement the liquid can be drawn off by a system of wooden pipes as required.

From Project Gutenberg