ullage

noun

ul·lage ˈə-lij

: the amount that a container (such as a tank or cask) lacks of being full

Examples of ullage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Also on the S-IVB were two Auxiliary Propulsion System engines that helped with ullage as well as attitude control. —

Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2018 Hundreds of milliseconds later, eight ullage motors on the interstage, still attached to the S-II second stage, fired. —

Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2018 McDowell says there are at least 64 ullage motors currently in orbit. —

Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 6 May 2022 Russia used these ullage motors to help accelerate the parent rocket stages slightly, according to Jonathan McDowell. —

Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 6 May 2022

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ulage, from Anglo-French ulliage, from *ullier to fill a partially empty cask, from Old French (Picard dialect) oel bunghȯle, literally, eye, from Latin oculus eye — more at eye

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ullage was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century