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depressurize

American  
[dee-presh-uh-rahyz] / diˈprɛʃ əˌraɪz /
especially British, depressurise

verb (used with object)

depressurized, depressurizing
  1. to remove the air pressure from (a pressurized compartment of an aircraft or spacecraft).

  2. to relieve the tensions of; cause to relax.

    A week's vacation should depressurize me.


verb (used without object)

depressurized, depressurizing
  1. to lose air pressure.

    The airplane cabin depressurized almost instantly.

depressurize British  
/ dɪˈprɛʃəˌraɪz /

verb

  1. (tr) to reduce the pressure of a gas inside (a container or enclosed space), as in an aircraft cabin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • depressurization noun
  • depressurizer noun

Etymology

Origin of depressurize

First recorded in 1940–45; de- + pressurize

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.

Due to the lack of an airlock on the Crew Dragon, the 13-foot-wide capsule will be depressurized and exposed to space during the walk.

From Los Angeles Times

The piece that blew out – creating a gaping hole and rapidly depressurizing the cabin – was a door plug that some airlines use to fill a spot where an emergency exit can be installed.

From Seattle Times

The pipeline was immediately shut in and depressurized after the leak alarm notification, which prevented any remaining condensate from leaving the pipeline, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

From Seattle Times

A MAX 9 depressurizes over Portland after a fuselage panel blows out.

From Seattle Times

The refrigerator-sized hole in the aircraft caused the cabin to rapidly depressurize.

From Seattle Times