bulkhead

noun

bulk·​head ˈbəlk-ˌhed  ˈbəl-ˌked 

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

Examples of bulkhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bulkhead seats will be sold as Flagship Preferred Suites and will have extra room (19 percent more bed space and 42 percent more living area space, per the airline) and more storage areas. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 30 May 2025

Subsequent repair served to reinforce the tunnel seals and to add permanent bulkheads. —Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

From the early 1920s to the late 1970s, asbestos was extensively used by the Navy in boiler rooms, engine rooms, pipe insulation, bulkheads and sleeping quarters. —Cristina Johnson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025

The clip also shows roaches crawling around on the bulkhead near her seat. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

bulk (structure projecting from a building) + head

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bulkhead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

bulkhead

noun

bulk·​head ˈbəlk-ˌhed 

1

: a wall separating compartments

2

: an external structure with a sloping door leading to the cellar stairway of a house