autoclave

noun au·to·clave \ ˈȯ-tō-ˌklāv \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Definition of autoclave

: 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

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Recent Examples of autoclave from the Web

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 2017

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of autoclave

French, from aut- + Latin clavis key — more at clavicle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1820

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

autoclave

verb

Definition of autoclave

autoclaved; autoclaving

transitive verb

: to treat in an autoclave

Recent Examples of autoclave from the Web

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 2017

First Known Use of autoclave

1911

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

autoclave

noun au·to·clave \ ˈȯt-ō-ˌklāv \

medical Definition of autoclave

: an apparatus (as for sterilizing) using superheated steam under pressure

autoclave

transitive verb

medical Definition of autoclave

autoclaved; autoclaving

: to treat in an autoclave

Learn More about autoclave

See words that rhyme with autoclave Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about autoclave

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autoclave

Definition of autoclave

Recent Examples of autoclave from the Web

Origin and Etymology of autoclave

autoclave

Definition of autoclave

Recent Examples of autoclave from the Web

First Known Use of autoclave

Medical Dictionary

autoclave

medical Definition of autoclave

autoclave

medical Definition of autoclave

Learn More about autoclave

Seen and Heard

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autoclave

Definition of autoclave

Recent Examples of autoclave from the Web

Origin and Etymology of autoclave

autoclave

Definition of autoclave

Recent Examples of autoclave from the Web

First Known Use of autoclave

Medical Dictionary

autoclave

medical Definition of autoclave

autoclave

medical Definition of autoclave

Learn More about autoclave

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