valves

noun

plural of valve
as in taps
a fixture for controlling the flow of a liquid a hot water valve

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of valves Stocks, houses, art, gold, and bitcoin all become release valves for people trying to preserve purchasing power. — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 That required doubling the engine speed to a heady 3,800 rpm, replacing the pushrod valves with double overhead camshafts for better control over timing, and moving to direct fuel injection at much higher pressure than the production engine. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 The engine also features larger intake valves and hydrogen-specific injectors to enable optimum fuel-to-air mixing within the cylinders. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026 Essentially, the small computers that operate the pumps, the valves, the water flow and the water pressure. — CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Utilities use them to trip the opening or closing of valves when water levels reach a certain threshold or to dispense precise amounts of chlorine in the treatment process. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The programmable logic controllers read sensors that measure conditions such as water pressure, water chemistry, tank levels and equipment status, and automatically operate pumps, valves and alarms. — William Akoto, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 These systems control physical equipment such as pumps, valves and treatment machinery. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Let the water flush through for a 30 to 45 seconds before shutting valves and reclosing lines. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for valves
  1. taps
  2. gates
  3. faucets
Noun
  • Experts don’t currently believe there is a risk of people’s taps running dry; the Colorado River is a slow-moving crisis and many water managers have taken steps to prepare.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • People who expected to have water are left with dry taps, while the pipes of those who had prepared for scarcity remain filled with water.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of taps
Noun
  • Stop at the Visitor Center, just past the gates, and fill up your water bottles (refill stations are available here and at the Devils Garden campground).
    — Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The zoning resolution for the Manhattanville extension explicitly forbids encircling any of the outdoor spaces with gates or fences.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of gates
Noun
  • Stainless steel is a popular material used in the home, from sinks and faucets to refrigerators and kitchen ranges.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The program provides basic repair services for issues such as leaky faucets, light switches, or even just changing a light bulb.
    — Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of faucets

Browse Nearby Words

valve
valves
vamoose
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Cite this Entry

“Valves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/valves. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on valves

Nglish: Translation of valves for Spanish Speakers

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