butterfly valve
noun
1
: a valve consisting of two semicircular clappers hinged to a cross rib that permits fluid flow in only one direction
2
: a damper or valve in a pipe consisting of a disk turning on a bisecting axis
Examples of butterfly valve in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Crews will then move on to the second ring follower gate, followed by the two butterfly valves.
—
Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the water agency, the failure involved a 15-foot-diameter section of penstock pipe between a butterfly valve and a concrete thrust block before the pipe extended down a steep hillside to the powerhouse.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
The pipe typically features a butterfly valve—which is designed to regulate the flow of liquids or air—that has a rotating disk set on an axis.
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 1 Aug. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the water agency, the failure involved a 15-foot-diameter section of penstock pipe between a butterfly valve and a concrete thrust block before the pipe extended down a steep hillside to the powerhouse.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
The pipe typically features a butterfly valve—which is designed to regulate the flow of liquids or air—that has a rotating disk set on an axis.
—Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 1 Aug. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Butterfly valve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly%20valve. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
