autoclave

[ aw-tuh-kleyv ]

noun

1. a heavy vessel for conducting chemical reactions under high pressure.
2. pressure cooker.
3. Medicine/Medical, Bacteriology. an apparatus in which steam under pressure effects sterilization.

verb (used with object)

, au·to·claved, au·to·clav·ing.

1. to place in an autoclave.

autoclave

/ ˈɔːtəˌkleɪv /

noun

1. a strong sealed vessel used for chemical reactions at high pressure
2. an apparatus for sterilizing objects (esp surgical instruments) or for cooking by means of steam under pressure
3. civil engineering a vessel in which freshly cast concrete or sand-lime bricks are cured very rapidly in high-pressure steam

verb

1. tr to put in or subject to the action of an autoclave

autoclave

/ ô′tō-klāv′ /

1. An airtight steel vessel used to heat substances and objects under very high pressures. Autoclaves are used in laboratory experiments and for sterilization.

Word History and Origins

Origin of autoclave¹

1875–80; < French, equivalent to auto- auto- ¹ + clave < Latin clāv-, stem of clāvis key and clāvus nail

Word History and Origins

Origin of autoclave¹

C19: from French auto- + -clave, from Latin clāvis key

Example Sentences

She transferred and adhered the nanotube forest in between the two middle layers of the composite, then cooked the material in an autoclave to cure.

From Science Daily

We sent a small autoclave—a machine that creates elevated temperatures and pressures—filled with water and flakes of graphene oxide, which we use as a starting ingredient.

From Scientific American

Partridge confirmed Airbus is studying whether to build wings without autoclaves.

From Reuters

Dr. Degroot’s paper details many of the findings from inspections and tests that revealed gloveboxes and sterilizing autoclaves that cracked, leaked or flooded.

From New York Times

They carried out three trials per jar, sterilizing the containers in an autoclave before each trial.

From Scientific American