diaphragm

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

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

diaphragmatically \-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Examples of diaphragm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fuel leaks past the internal diaphragm, goes through the vacuum hose attached to the regulator, and collects in the engine's intake manifold. — Bob Weber, chicagotribune.com, "Stop-start feature steams driver, who is advised to chill," 5 Aug. 2017 When the diaphragm goes, so does your ability to inhale; surgical patients administered the drug are typically intubated with a breathing tube, their respiratory status carefully monitored. — Robbie Gonzalez, WIRED, "The Untested Drugs at the Heart of Nevada's Execution Controversy," 11 July 2018 Both girls were sharing a liver, sternum and diaphragm. — Sarah Schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Twin Girls Who Were Conjoined at the Stomach Celebrate 2nd Birthday," 27 Oct. 2016 Toyota says a diaphragm material in the fuel injection system can harden over time and crack, allowing fuel to leak. — BostonGlobe.com, "Boston Children’s named best pediatric hospital in the country for fifth year," 27 June 2018 According to the car manufacturer, the diaphragm material in the fuel pulsation dampers of certain engines can harden over time and crack, allowing fuel to leak and creating a risk of fire. — Renae Reints, Fortune, "Lexus Recalls 121,000 Cars Due to Risk of Fuel Leaks," 27 June 2018 In this disorder, a ligament supporting the diaphragm, known as the median arcuate ligament, cuts off circulation not to the colon but to the stomach, by obstructing the artery that delivers blood there. — Lisa Sanders, New York Times, "What Was Causing a Healthy Older Man to Be Nauseated by Food?," 13 June 2018 To take advantage of piezoelectricity, Dagdeviren and her colleagues have developed flat devices that can be stuck onto organs and muscles such as the heart, lungs, and diaphragm. — Charles Q. Choi, The Atlantic, "Your Heartbeat Could Power a Smartphone," 12 Apr. 2018 Women who have endometriosis can have episodes of pneumothorax if those cells make their way past the diaphragm into the chest. — Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, "The Woman Was Fit and Healthy. Why Did Her Lung Mysteriously Collapse?," 28 Mar. 2018

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.

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Dictionary Entries near diaphragm

diaphragmatic respiration

diaphragm horn

diaphragm pump

Statistics for diaphragm

Last Updated

1 Sep 2018

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Time Traveler for diaphragm

The first known use of diaphragm was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for diaphragm

diaphragm

noun

English Language Learners Definition of diaphragm

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

See the full definition for diaphragm in the English Language Learners Dictionary

diaphragm

noun

di·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

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