water seal

British  

noun

1. a small amount of water contained in the trap of a drain to prevent the passage of foul smells

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Example Sentences

Their multi-scale suction mechanism is an organic combination of mechanical conformation and regulated water seal.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2024

Before you turn the water on or flush a toilet, the drain pipes, beyond the water seal in your P-traps, are filled with air.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2023

When it’s time to eat, they pour in the boiling water, seal the bag, then tuck it into a coat or a beanie to keep things hot.

From New York Times • Jun. 26, 2017

This fermentation jar from Bay Area ceramist Sarah Kersten is lined with a food-safe glaze and has a "water seal," which eliminates evaporation and odors.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2015

At S and T are glands which provide a water seal against the inleakage of air and the outleakage of steam.

From Steam Turbines A Book of Instruction for the Adjustment and Operation of the Principal Types of this Class of Prime Movers by Collins, Hubert E. (Hubert Edwin)