stuffing box

American  

noun

Machinery.

1. a device for preventing leakage of gases or liquids along a moving rod or shaft at the point at which it leaves a cylinder, tank, ship hull, etc.

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stuffing box British  

noun

1. Also called: packing box.  a small chamber in which an annular packing is compressed around a reciprocating or rotating rod or shaft to form a seal

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Etymology

Origin of stuffing box

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

The stuffing box should be cool or only slightly warm to the touch.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Sure, I check the packing, replace it regularly and watch the stuffing box when I run up," he says.

From Time Magazine Archive

Step By Step When repacking your stuffing box, if old packing is not completely removed, or if any sand, grit or foreign matter is present, the shaft can be scored.

From Time Magazine Archive

When properly adjusted, a stuffing box keeps excess water from collecting in the bilge and protects the shaft from damage.

From Time Magazine Archive

It will, therefore, make your engine bump, and make it very difficult to hold the packing in stuffing box.

From Rough and Tumble Engineering by Maggard, James H.