air gap

American

noun

Electricity. the space between two objects magnetically related, as between the rotor and the stator in a dynamo, or between two objects electrically related, as between the electrode and the tip of a spark plug.

Etymology

Origin of air gap

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

An air gap is a security measure used to isolate multiple systems from linking, such as a computer connecting to WiFi.

From Washington Times • Dec. 12, 2023

“I swear there was only a foot of air gap left in the back part of her car,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2023

Its fire resistance comes from a two-layer construction, with an air gap in between for added insulation.

From Scientific American • Jul. 25, 2022

I have tried cleaning the glass inside and out, but the etching appears to be on the glass facing the air gap between the panes.

From Washington Post • Jan. 8, 2021

Hence the reluctance of the air gap is 0.1 = 1 C.G.S. unit.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 "Ehud" to "Electroscope" by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023