louver

noun

lou·​ver ˈlü-vər 

variants or louvre

1

: a roof lantern or turret often with slatted apertures for escape of smoke or admission of light in a medieval building

2

a

: an opening provided with one or more slanted fixed or movable fins to allow flow of air but to exclude rain or sun or to provide privacy

b

: a finned or vaned device for controlling a flow of air or the radiation of light

c

: a fin or shutter of a louver

louvered adjective

or less commonly louvred

ˈlü-vərd 

Examples of louver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Metal louvers guide fish into the facility instead of toward the pumps. —Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 23 May 2024

Unveiled earlier this summer as part of the automaker’s 110th-anniversary celebrations, the Valour features a sculpted look that calls to mind the striking V8 Vantage from the 1970s and ‘80s (especially its window louvers). —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2024

Lastly, the contractors went through to identify ventilation issues that had only accelerated the decline of the lighthouse and replaced two of the tower's windows with ventilation louvers for better airflow. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024

One of my favorite features of this yacht’s design was a detail on the outer edge of the galley bar where lacquered, aquamarine slats call to mind the louvers common on La Dolce Vita–era runabouts. —Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lover, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

louver

noun

lou·​ver

variants or louvre

ˈlü-vər 

1

: an opening provided with one or more slanted strips to allow flow of air or light but to exclude rain or sun or to provide privacy

2

: one of the slanted strips of a louver

louvered

-vərd

adjective