valve

noun

1
a
: any of numerous mechanical devices by which the flow of liquid, gas, or loose material in bulk may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways
also : the movable part of such a device
b
: a device in a brass instrument for quickly channeling air flow through an added length of tube in order to change the fundamental tone by some definite interval
c
chiefly British : electron tube
2
[borrowed from Medieval Latin valva, going back to Latin] : a bodily structure (such as the mitral valve) that closes temporarily a passage or orifice or permits movement of fluid in one direction only
3
[borrowed from New Latin valva, going back to Latin] : one of the distinct usually hinged and movable pieces of which the shell of some shell-bearing animals (such as lamellibranch mollusks, brachiopods, and barnacles) consists
4
[borrowed from New Latin valva, going back to Latin]
a
: one of the segments or pieces into which a dehiscing capsule or legume separates
b
: the portion of various anthers (as of the barberry) resembling a lid
c
: one of the two encasing membranes of a diatom
5
archaic : a leaf of a folding or double door
valved adjective
valveless adjective

Examples of valve in a Sentence

They turned off the main water valve to the house.
Recent Examples on the Web Further Reading Spiral shark intestines work like Nikola Tesla’s water valve, study finds Tesla claimed that water would flow through his valve 200 times slower in one direction than another, which may have been an exaggeration. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2024 Cooler temperatures and the application of water caused the pressure valve on the car to close as the styrene changed into a semi-solid state, officials said. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2024 Many possible causes of heart block exist, including a medication side effect, heart attack, infection of the heart's lining or valves, or an electrolyte imbalance (e.g., high potassium in the bloodstream). Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2024 Over Recent Years Edwards Lifesciences revenue rose from $5.2 billion in 2021 to $6.2 billion in 2023, led by its TAVR heart valve products. Trefis Team, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for valve 

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "leaf of a folding door," borrowed from Latin valva (usually in plural valvae) "double or folding door, leaf of such a door," perhaps going back to an early derivative of the base of volvere "to roll, make turn" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of valve was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near valve

Cite this Entry

“Valve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valve. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

valve

noun
1
: a bodily structure (as in a vein or the heart) that closes temporarily to prevent passage of material or that allows movement of a fluid in one direction only
2
a
: a mechanical device by which the flow of liquid, gas, or loose material in bulk may be controlled by a movable part
also : the movable part of such a device
b
: a device in a brass musical instrument for quickly changing the tube length in order to make the tone higher or lower
3
: one of the separate pieces that make up the shell of some animals (as clams) and are often hinged
4
: one of the pieces into which a ripe seed capsule or pod separates
valved adjective

Medical Definition

valve

noun
1
: a bodily structure (as the mitral valve) that closes temporarily a passage or orifice or permits movement of fluid in one direction only
2
: any of various mechanical devices by which the flow of liquid (as blood) may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways
also : the movable part of such a device

More from Merriam-Webster on valve

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