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di·a·phragm | \ ˈdī-ə-ˌfram 
\
\Definition of diaphragm
1 : a body partition of muscle and connective tissue specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals
2 : a dividing membrane or thin partition especially in a tube
3a : a more or less rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate
b : a transverse septum in a plant stem
4 : a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system — compare iris diaphragm
5 : a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves or that vibrates to generate sound waves
6 : a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier
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Other Words from diaphragm
diaphragmatic \ ˌdī-ə-frə(g)-ˈma-tik , -ˌfrag- \ adjective
, -ˌfrag- \ adjectivediaphragmatically \ ˌdī-ə-frə(g)-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbExamples of diaphragm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web And an inflatable balloon positioned under the liver replicates the movement of the diaphragm during breathing, which prevents tissue damage from constant pressure on the organ.
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Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, "Machine That Keeps Livers Alive for a Week Can Repair Damaged Organs," 6 May 2020 No one knows exactly why obesity, but hypotheses abound: For example, abdominal obesity can cause compression of the diaphragm, lungs and chest capacity.
6.
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Melina Delkic, New York Times, "Jobs, Contact Tracing, Mercury Regulations: Your Thursday Evening Briefing," 16 Apr. 2020 Two keys to using the mouth call: Don’t simply blow across the reeds, but huff air up from deep in your diaphragm.
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Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, "25 Top Spring Turkey Hunting Tips," 20 Apr. 2020 There was no cure and as yet no vaccine, and for children whose disease was so severe that the diaphragm was paralyzed too, death would quickly come by suffocation.
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Jeffrey Kluger, Time, "To Fight COVID-19, Ford Is Planning to Manufacture Ventilators. This Isn't the First Time the Automaker Has Made Medical Devices," 2 Apr. 2020 Her 62-year-old husband, Franny, struggling with ALS since 2016, uses a BiPAP, which forces air through his nose to make up for the weakness in his diaphragm.
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Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "For families of ALS patients, providing home care can be an infinite challenge," 11 Jan. 2020 Audio entered a horn and vibrated a diaphragm, which pushed a stylus into wax to cut grooves.
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Eleanor Cummins, Popular Science, "Humans have been recording sound since before they could play it back," 9 Jan. 2020 The bullet entered her chest and penetrated a lung, her diaphragm and stomach before lodging near her hip.
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Mark Gillispie, USA TODAY, "She's a victim of New Year's Eve gunfire. Don't fire a gun to celebrate the holiday, police urge," 30 Dec. 2019 Bennett, who has a staff of about 65 during the season, says his training covers tips such as screaming from the diaphragm, maximizing energy without getting exhausted and literal scare tactics.
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Hannah Sampson, chicagotribune.com, "Inside the creation of travel-worthy haunted houses," 29 Oct. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diaphragm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for diaphragm
diaphragm
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of diaphragm
medical : a large flat muscle that separates the lungs from the stomach area and that is used in breathing
technical : a device that controls the amount of light passing through the lens of a camera
: a device shaped like a cup that is placed in the vagina to prevent pregnancy
See the full definition for diaphragm in the English Language Learners Dictionary
diaphragm
noundi·a·phragm | \ ˈdī-ə-ˌfram \
\Kids Definition of diaphragm
1 : a muscular wall that separates the lungs from the stomach area and assists in breathing in
2 : a thin disk (as in a microphone) that vibrates when sound strikes it
diaphragm
noundi·a·phragm | \ ˈdī-ə-ˌfram \
\Medical Definition of diaphragm
1 : a body partition of muscle and connective tissue specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals — see pelvic diaphragm, urogenital diaphragm
2 : a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system
3 : a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier
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Time Traveler for diaphragm
The first known use of diaphragm was in the 14th century
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