diaphragm

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noun 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

3 a :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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diaphragmatic

play \ˌdī-ə-frə(g)-ˈma-tik, -ˌfrag-\ adjective

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diaphragmatically

play \-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See diaphragm defined for English-language learners

See diaphragm defined for kids

Recent Examples of diaphragm from the Web

Where a dynamic driver might distort at higher volumes due to the shape of diaphragm distorting as it's pushed and pulled in one spot by a single magnet (often called non-linear distortion), a planar magnetic driver suffers no such issues.

— mark walton, Ars Technica, "Blue Ella review: Planar magnetic tech sounds great, but costs too much," 20 July 2017
In the case of the Great Seal Bug, voices within the room caused a small diaphragm hidden in the structure to vibrate and change the resonance of the internal cavity.

— maya wei-haas, Smithsonian, "You’d Never Have to Plug in This Battery-Free Cell Phone," 20 July 2017
Remember to breathe from your diaphragm and not your chest.

— Philly.com, "Don't waste your breath: 4 techniques for better breathing," 11 July 2017
The reddish-brown mass of four unevenly sized lobes sprawls like a beached sea lion across the upper right side of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm and atop the stomach.

— natalie angier, New York Times, "The Liver: A ‘Blob’ That Runs the Body," 12 June 2017
She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was treated for damage to her spleen, diaphragm and colon, Carlson said.

— william lee, chicagotribune.com, "Man shot sister's kids' dad, innocent woman in domestic fight: Prosecutors," 10 June 2017
The impact had pushed her stomach up into her chest cavity, causing a lung to collapse and tearing her abdomen, diaphragm and other internal organs.

— gary curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "A family finds solace from tragedy," 10 June 2017
A less intense DIY version of the breathing regimen goes something like this: Inhale deeply from the diaphragm, then exhale slowly and fully.

— james hamblin, The Atlantic, "The Ice Guru in Brooklyn," 9 June 2017
The diaphragm outside of its mouth has since deflated, Boothe said.

— janet i. tu, The Seattle Times, "Dead minke whale washes ashore at Long Beach Peninsula," 29 May 2017

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of diaphragm

Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, from Greek, from diaphrassein to barricade, from dia- + phrassein to enclose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

DIAPHRAGM Defined for English Language Learners

diaphragm

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noun

Definition of diaphragm for English Language Learners

medical : a large flat muscle that separates the lungs from the stomach area and that is used in breathing
: 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

DIAPHRAGM Defined for Kids

diaphragm

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noun di·a·phragm \ ˈdī-ə-ˌfram \

Definition of diaphragm for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

diaphragm

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noun di·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