air lock

¹ American  

noun

1. Civil Engineering. an airtight chamber permitting passage to or from a space, as in a caisson, in which the air is kept under pressure.

2. the impedance in the functioning of a pump or a system of piping caused by the presence of an air bubble; vapor lock.

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air-lock ² American  

[air-lok] / ˈɛərˌlɒk /

verb (used with object)

1. to place in or confine to an air lock.

   to air-lock divers before they descend.

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Etymology

Origin of air lock¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of air-lock²

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Anticipation and tension grew as the crew prepared to open the hatch on the craft that has no air lock, or doorway between the vacuum outside and the rest of the spacecraft.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2024

Demond pushed his way through a double-door air lock and into a series of chilly storerooms.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2023

Then, in an air lock and still suited, each will take a 10-minute shower that sprays them from all sides with a chemical detergent.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2021

When he attempted to reenter the air lock leading to the space capsule, Mr. Leonov could not climb through the hatch.

From Washington Post • Oct. 12, 2019

She went into the air lock, pushing the hatboxes ahead of her.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston