1
a
: any of numerous mechanical devices by which the flow of liquid, gas, or loose material in bulk may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways
also
: the movable part of such a device
b
: a device in a brass instrument for quickly channeling air flow through an added length of tube in order to change the fundamental tone by some definite interval
c
chiefly British
: electron tube
2
[borrowed from Medieval Latin valva, going back to Latin]
: a bodily structure (such as the mitral valve) that closes temporarily a passage or orifice or permits movement of fluid in one direction only
3
[borrowed from New Latin valva, going back to Latin]
: one of the distinct usually hinged and movable pieces of which the shell of some shell-bearing animals (such as lamellibranch mollusks, brachiopods, and barnacles) consists
4
[borrowed from New Latin valva, going back to Latin]
a
: one of the segments or pieces into which a dehiscing capsule or legume separates
b
: the portion of various anthers (as of the barberry) resembling a lid
c
: one of the two encasing membranes of a diatom
5
archaic
: a leaf of a folding or double door
Examples of valve in a Sentence
They turned off the main water valve to the house.
Recent Examples on the Web
It was so named due to the red hue of the valve covers on the 3.0-liter V-12 under that swooping hood.
—
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
The valve needs to be shut as quickly as possible after inflation, and it must be shut tightly to prevent any air from escaping.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Fortunately, a pair of tugboats were able to rescue the U.S.-flagged vessel and tow it to safety, where it was determined a broken air compressor valve was to blame.
—USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
And recent innovations in methane valve caps and leak sensors can help reduce emissions at their source, writes Grist.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Carefully turn steam release handle to VENTING position, and let steam fully escape (float valve will drop).
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2024
In January, Astrobotic failed in its attempt to reach the Moon due to a valve issue with its Peregrine spacecraft.
—Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
Her rallies recently have something of a resistance-liberal energy to them, a release valve for the not small demographic who are sick of Trump and Joe Biden.
—Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2024
The most common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, leaking showerheads and other tired valves.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
The valve needs to be shut as quickly as possible after inflation, and it must be shut tightly to prevent any air from escaping.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Fortunately, a pair of tugboats were able to rescue the U.S.-flagged vessel and tow it to safety, where it was determined a broken air compressor valve was to blame.
—USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
And recent innovations in methane valve caps and leak sensors can help reduce emissions at their source, writes Grist.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Carefully turn steam release handle to VENTING position, and let steam fully escape (float valve will drop).
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2024
In January, Astrobotic failed in its attempt to reach the Moon due to a valve issue with its Peregrine spacecraft.
—Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
Her rallies recently have something of a resistance-liberal energy to them, a release valve for the not small demographic who are sick of Trump and Joe Biden.
—Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2024
The most common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, leaking showerheads and other tired valves.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'valve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near valve
Cite this Entry
“Valve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valve. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
valve
noun1
: a bodily structure (as in a vein or the heart) that closes temporarily to prevent passage of material or that allows movement of a fluid in one direction only
2
a
: a mechanical device by which the flow of liquid, gas, or loose material in bulk may be controlled by a movable part
also
: the movable part of such a device
b
: a device in a brass musical instrument for quickly changing the tube length in order to make the tone higher or lower
3
: one of the separate pieces that make up the shell of some animals (as clams) and are often hinged
4
: one of the pieces into which a ripe seed capsule or pod separates
Medical Definition
valve
noun1
: a bodily structure (as the mitral valve) that closes temporarily a passage or orifice or permits movement of fluid in one direction only
2
: any of various mechanical devices by which the flow of liquid (as blood) may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways
also
: the movable part of such a device
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