water hammer

noun

1. the concussion and accompanying noise that result when a volume of water moving in a pipe suddenly stops or loses momentum.

water hammer

noun

1. a sharp concussion produced when the flow of water in a pipe is suddenly blocked

Word History and Origins

Origin of water hammer¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

A: The knocking sounds are what’s known as water hammer, caused when water flowing in pipes suddenly shuts off and vibrates with enough force to cause the pipes to knock against wood framing.

From Washington Post

“It can create a water hammer. We didn’t want to do that in the cold weather, which already stresses the pipe,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

When a larger volume of steam is colapsed by colder water, the bang or banging is much louder and is called water hammer.

From New York Times

Such a "water hammer" has tossed pipelines as much as a kilometer, Cenovus's Fagnan says, leaving them sticking out of the ground like toothpicks embedded more than three meters deep.

From Scientific American

The "water hammer" produced by the quick acting valves of elevators has always been objectionable, both in its effect at the pumping-house and upon water mains and connections.

From Project Gutenberg