autoclave
noun
\
Definition of autoclave
(Entry 1 of 2)
: an apparatus in which special conditions (such as high or low pressure or temperature) can be established for a variety of applications especially : an apparatus (as for sterilizing) using steam under high pressure
autoclave
verbDefinition of autoclave (Entry 2 of 2)
: to treat in an autoclave
Examples of autoclave in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
To fix the plant's troubles, Pfizer decided to replace production lines and other technology, particularly huge equipment-sterilizing machines called autoclaves that can take two years to build, install and test. — Linda A. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "The other opioid crisis: Hospitals grapple with prolonged injected opioid shortage," 28 June 2018 To fix the plant’s troubles, Pfizer decided to replace production lines and other technology, particularly huge equipment-sterilizing machines called autoclaves that can take two years to build, install and test. — Washington Post, "US hospitals grapple with prolonged injected opioid shortage," 27 June 2018 No microscopes or autoclaves, just computers arranged in two long rows. — Elyse Butler, Smithsonian, "Hawaii’s Must-See Lava Flows Are Home to New, Startling Ecosystems," 29 Apr. 2017 No microscopes or autoclaves, just computers arranged in two long rows. — Elyse Butler, Smithsonian, "Hawaii’s Must-See Lava Flows Are Home to New, Startling Ecosystems," 29 Apr. 2017 The composite wing is not produced the way Boeing manufactures the wings of the 787 Dreamliner — by baking the material to hardness in a high-pressure oven, known as an autoclave. — Dominic Gates, The Seattle Times, "Russia’s challenger to 737 and A320 makes first brief flight," 30 May 2017 These huge cylindrical parts, spun out of carbon tape elsewhere in the factory, are baked to hardness inside a giant autoclave, a pressure oven 98 feet long and 29 feet in diameter, which Kawasaki designed and built itself. — Dominic Gates, The Seattle Times, "Boeing’s key suppliers in Japan want an upgrade," 13 May 2017 According to a Boeing spokesman who attended the Paris presentation, Delaney said Boeing is considering all options for fabricating the composites, including various new out-of-autoclave and resin infusion methods. — Dominic Gates, The Seattle Times, "Paris Air Show: Boeing exec gives some detail on possible ‘797’ design," 20 June 2017 During a tour led by Eric Lindblad, vice president of 777X, the massive high-pressure oven called an autoclave was baking a set of stringers while nearby another automated machine was trimming and drilling a lower wing skin. — The Seattle Times, OregonLive.com, "Boeing revs up robots for 777X in Everett, signals that a 797 awaits," 9 June 2017Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
That material -- autoclaved aerated concrete, better known as AAC block -- is a porous block that's lightweight and workable, but also has insulating qualities. — Sarah Bonnette, NOLA.com, "Modern farmhouse blends cutting-edge design with rural charm on La. blueberry farm," 30 Aug. 2017 And make sure the therapist uses either disposable plastic tools or metal ones that have been autoclaved between each use. — Karyn Repinski, Harper's BAZAAR, "Are Colonics Back?," 23 Feb. 2016 Can the seal on Maddy’s autoclaved world withstand the pressure of such swelling adolescent hormones — not to mention Yoon’s plot requirements? — Michael O'sullivan, The Denver Post, "“Everything, Everything”: A whole lot of nothing remotely plausible," 19 May 2017 Can the seal on Maddy’s autoclaved world withstand the pressure of such swelling adolescent hormones, not to mention Yoon’s plot requirements? — Michael O’sullivan, star-telegram.com, "‘Everything, Everything’ leaves something to be desired," 19 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'autoclave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for autoclave
autoclave
noun
\
Medical Definition of autoclave
(Entry 1 of 2)
: an apparatus (as for sterilizing) using superheated steam under pressure
autoclave
transitive verbMedical Definition of autoclave (Entry 2 of 2)
: to treat in an autoclave
Comments on autoclave
What made you want to look up autoclave? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
-
- Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
A mythological/etymological mashup!
Take the quiz -
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz -
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
Take the quiz -
Add Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share autoclave
Resources for autoclave