valve

[ valv ]

/ vælv /

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noun

any device for halting or controlling the flow of a liquid, gas, or other material through a passage, pipe, inlet, outlet, etc.

a hinged lid or other movable part that closes or modifies the passage in such a device.

Anatomy. a membranous fold or other structure that controls the flow of a fluid, as one that permits blood to flow in one direction only.

(in musical wind instruments of the trumpet class) a device for changing the length of the air column to alter the pitch of a tone.

Zoology.

one of the two or more separable pieces composing certain shells.
either half of the silicified shell of a diatom.

Botany.

one of the segments into which a capsule dehisces.
a flap or lidlike part of certain anthers.

Electronics (chiefly British). vacuum tube (def. 1).

Archaic. one of the leaves of a double or folding door.

verb (used with object), valved, valv·ing.

to provide with a means of controlling the flow of liquid, gas, etc., by inserting a valve.

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Origin of valve

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin valvae leaves of a door

OTHER WORDS FROM valve

valveless, adjectivevalvelike, adjectiveun·der·valve, noun

Words nearby valve

Valuer General, valuta, valval, valvar, valvate, valve, valved, valve gear, valve-in-head engine, valvelet, valve lifter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use valve in a sentence

It is more in the shutting off of the valve that you are inclined to struggle.
Two historical mystery novels plunge readers into the past while keeping them guessing|Clare McHugh|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
These days, the bags usually have valves on them to prevent dust escaping, and when the bag is full, it’s relatively easy and mess-free to dispose of the entire bag and its dusty contents.
Best vacuum cleaner: How to tidy up fast|Charlotte Marcus|January 14, 2021|Popular-Science
Air also exits through a valve located elsewhere on the hood.
Those ‘gas masks’ at the Capitol were actually escape hoods|Rob Verger|January 11, 2021|Popular-Science
I have now found the irrigation line for that half of the house, confirmed it by turning the valve off, and also went into the crawl space to confirm it’s using soft water.
So You Want to Roboticize Your House?|Eugene Robinson|December 2, 2020|Ozy

Some valved masks do have filters between the valve and the outside world, he says, which would reduce or prevent the spread of the virus.
Why you should think twice before opting for a valved N95 mask|Kat Eschner|November 12, 2020|Popular-Science
Such and such a time, such and such a day, then trouble with the valve.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The flawed valve was rapidly replaced by a more robust system.
The Exemplary Plane at the Heart of the MH370 Mystery|Clive Irving|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This safety valve allows citizens to sound the alarm and challenge those whose views are hateful and totalitarian.
The Opponents of Militant Islamism Are Often As Bigoted as Their Targets|Jacob Mchangama|December 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
[W] thout an exchange-rate safety valve you need an alternate way to rebalance economies.
Countdown to Euro Crack-Up|David Frum|May 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He also might have a heart-valve problem, but recovery from repair of these generally takes longer than a few days.
John Edwards Doctor's Notes Push Back Trial: Is He Really Sick?|Kent Sepkowitz|January 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A feed-pump forced water into the boilers; each had a safety-valve with a lever and weight.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The valve-seat H has formed on its lower surface two crescent shaped long and narrow slits.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
The discharge-valve was then opened for a moment, allowing a blast of steam to escape, reducing the pressure say to one-half.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The valve open while the plunger-pole ascended 20 inches, then went the remainder of the 10-feet stroke expansive.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The engine boy having fixed the safety-valve while he fished for eels, caused an explosion of the boiler.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for valve

valve

/ (vælv) /

noun

any device that shuts off, starts, regulates, or controls the flow of a fluid

anatomy a flaplike structure in a hollow organ, such as the heart, that controls the one-way passage of fluid through that organ

Also called: tube, vacuum tube an evacuated electron tube containing a cathode, anode, and, usually, one or more additional control electrodes. When a positive potential is applied to the anode, electrons emitted from the cathode are attracted to the anode, constituting a flow of current which can be controlled by a voltage applied to the grid to produce amplification, oscillation, etcSee also diode (def. 2), triode (def. 1), tetrode, pentode

zoology any of the separable pieces that make up the shell of a mollusc

music a device on some brass instruments by which the effective length of the tube may be varied to enable a chromatic scale to be produced

botany

any of the several parts that make up a dry dehiscent fruit, esp a capsule
either of the two halves of a diatom cell wall

archaic a leaf of a double door or of a folding door

Derived forms of valve

valveless, adjectivevalvelike, adjective

Word Origin for valve

C14: from Latin valva a folding door

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

Medical definitions for valve

valve

[ vălv ]

A membranous structure in a hollow organ or passage, as in an artery or vein, that folds or closes to prevent the return flow of the body fluid passing through it.

Any of various devices that regulate the flow of gases, liquids, or loose materials through piping or through apertures by opening, closing, or obstructing ports or passageways.

The movable control element of such a device.

Scientific definitions for valve

valve

[ vălv ]

Any of various mechanical devices that control the flow of liquids, gases, or loose material through pipes or channels by blocking and uncovering openings.
The movable part or element of such a device.

Any of various structures that prevent the backward flow of a body fluid, such as blood or lymph. Valves in the heart, veins, and lymphatic vessels contain flaps (known as cusps) that close in response to pressure created by the backflow of fluid.

One of the paired hinged shells of certain mollusks, such as clams and oysters.

See electron tube.

valve

Origin of valve

OTHER WORDS FROM valve

Words nearby valve

Words related to valve

How to use valve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for valve

Derived forms of valve

Word Origin for valve

Medical definitions for valve

Scientific definitions for valve