louver

American  

[loo-ver] / ˈlu vər /

especially British, louvre

noun

1. any of a series of narrow openings framed at their longer edges with slanting, overlapping fins or slats, adjustable for admitting light and air while shutting out rain.

2. a fin or slat framing such an opening.

3. a ventilating turret or lantern, as on the roof of a medieval building.

4. any of a system of slits formed in the hood of an automobile, the door of a metal locker, etc., used especially for ventilation.

5. a door, window, or the like, having adjustable louvers.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a louver in; add louvers to.

   to louver a door.

Other Word Forms

• louvered adjective

Etymology

Origin of louver

1325–75; Middle English lover < Middle French lovier < Middle Dutch love gallery. See lobby

Example Sentences

As Miranda and others walked on a metal grate over the channel, two workers in hard hats stood on a platform spraying water to clean algae off a metal louver.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2024

After I adopted him, adjusting a louver window so that he could run out into the courtyard, he would greet me so effusively in front of my front door that I was embarrassed.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2016

Through the louver in the roof, above the thin wisps of issuing smoke, the sky showed pale and blue.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

He went into the living room and found the operating instructions tucked into a ventilation louver of the machine.

From Bad Medicine by Sheckley, Robert

He saw smoke and sparks streaming up through the louver, and rays of light gleaming through the illclosed shutters upon the snow.

From The Treasure by Lagerlöf, Selma