bulkhead

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noun bulk·head \ ˈbəlk-ˌhed , ˈbəl-ˌked \

Definition of bulkhead

1 :an upright partition separating compartments

2 :a structure or partition to resist pressure or to shut off water, fire, or gas

3 :a retaining wall along a waterfront

4 :a projecting framework with a sloping door giving access to a cellar stairway or a shaft

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Recent Examples of bulkhead from the Web

A 5-foot bulkhead and sloping lawn shielded it from the flooding that’s devastated parts of Texas.

— christopher flavelle, Bloomberg.com, "Harvey Could Reshape How and Where Americans Build Homes," 30 Aug. 2017
A 5-foot bulkhead and sloping lawn shielded it from the flooding that's devastated parts of Texas.

— christopher flavelle, chicagotribune.com, "Harvey could reshape how and where Americans build," 30 Aug. 2017
A bulkhead is going to be installed to prevent any further problems.

— christina hall, Detroit Free Press, "'Bat-mobile' immersed in 1.5M gallons of sewage at Fraser sinkhole repair site," 23 Aug. 2017
The sidewalk along the new 1,600 feet of bulkhead will wind through a wooded area.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "Slidell officials hope public marina will spark economy," 18 Aug. 2017
The walls of the CM and LM are lovingly decorated in trompe-l’oeil-type paintings, showing equipment lockers, cabinets, switch panels, circuit breakers, hoses, and everything else that’s supposed to be on the spacecraft bulkheads.

— lee hutchinson, Ars Technica, "Apollo 13 escape room at Houston Escape Hunt is absolutely delightful," 28 July 2017
And that rigidity is with a folding back seat, which usually serves as a solid bulkhead for stiffening.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Audi A5 Cabriolet quattro: Solid, safe and sexy four-seater," 20 July 2017
The Army Corps will work its way south through Margate, with the dune curving around theend of the Ventnor boardwalk and running closer to Margate’s bulkhead.

— amy s. rosenberg, Philly.com, "Dune construction is starting at the shore and people are ranting," 22 June 2017
The USS Fitzgerald was taking on water and officers ordered the bulkheads closed while Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., was still under water, Stanley Rehm told WKYC.

— susan keating, PEOPLE.com, "Hero Sailor Drowned Rescuing Shipmates on USS Fitzgerald When Officers 'Closed the Hatch' to Save Ship, Uncle Says," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bulkhead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bulkhead

bulk (structure projecting from a building) + head

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First Known Use: 15th century

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BULKHEAD Defined for English Language Learners

bulkhead

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noun

Definition of bulkhead for English Language Learners

: a wall that separates the different parts of a ship or aircraft

BULKHEAD Defined for Kids

bulkhead

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noun bulk·head \ ˈbəlk-ˌhed \

Definition of bulkhead for Students

:a wall separating sections in a ship

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See words that rhyme with bulkhead Spanish Central: Translation of bulkhead Nglish: Translation of bulkhead for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bulkhead for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bulkhead

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bulkhead

Definition of bulkhead

Recent Examples of bulkhead from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bulkhead

BULKHEAD Defined for English Language Learners

bulkhead

Definition of bulkhead for English Language Learners

BULKHEAD Defined for Kids

bulkhead

Definition of bulkhead for Students

Learn More about bulkhead

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