ball valve

noun

: a valve in which a ball regulates the aperture especially by its rise and fall due to fluid pressure, a spring, or its own weight

Examples of ball valve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When vacuuming, your pool pump should always be set to filter, and the ball valve should be turned off. Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 12 June 2023 If a large whale inhaled a golf ball into its larynx--with only one path for air, not two like the nostrils--professor Reidenberg noted that the Titleist could act as a ball valve preventing the passage of air from the blowhole to the lungs and suffocate the whale. Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2013 Then, shortly after the tap, install a full-flow ball valve. Merle Henkenius, Popular Mechanics, 25 June 2021 The Ivy Rain Barrels come with locking, child-proof lids and have protective screening against mosquitoes and a 3/4-inch ball valve to connect to a garden hose or another barrel. Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2020 Hughes rotated a ball valve a quarter-turn to launch, and the rocket leapt skyward with an infernal hiss. David Howard, Popular Mechanics, 30 Aug. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ball valve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ball valve was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near ball valve

Cite this Entry

“Ball valve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20valve. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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