diving bell

noun

: a diving apparatus consisting of a container open only at the bottom and supplied with compressed air by a hose

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Hannes Keller, a Swiss deep-sea explorer who survived a record descent to more than 1,000 feet in a diving bell during a 1962 expedition that helped open new frontiers in ocean research but claimed two lives in the process, died Dec. 1 at his home in Niederglatt, Switzerland. Phil Davison, Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2022 The diving bell spider is the only member of its group to spend its entire life underwater. Discover Magazine, 8 June 2011 When the film opens, a distressed diving bell descends into the ruins of a city. Karen Idelson, Variety, 22 June 2022 Scientists have measured oxygen diffusing into the diving bell and carbon dioxide diffusing out to facilitate a spider’s breathing. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Oct. 2021 As Underwater Breathing Tanks Only one arachnid lives most of its life underwater: the diving bell spider (Argyroneta aquatica). Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Oct. 2021 The US Navy’s Experimental Diving Unit was called into action and opted to deploy an untried rescue diving bell (the McCann Rescue Chamber) as part of a daring operation. Heather Wishart-smith, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2021 While some readers may struggle to stay afloat in this sea of glinting references and wandering currents, others will be happy to join Hoare in his diving bell to revelation. Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2021 Per the Wall Street Journal’s Edward Rothstein, the team submerged three divers housed in a 12-foot-long diving bell near the wreck for 69 days. Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diving bell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diving bell was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near diving bell

Cite this Entry

“Diving bell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diving%20bell. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

diving bell

noun
: a diving device consisting of a container open only at the bottom and supplied with compressed air by a hose

More from Merriam-Webster on diving bell

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