barrelhead

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The flat circular top or end of a barrel.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say a barrelhead, the barrelhead, or barrelheads.

   Patterns

   • the barrelhead of a barrel
   • on the barrelhead
   • remove the barrelhead

   He pried off the barrelhead to check the contents.

   The barrelhead was stamped with the maker's name.

   Rainwater had collected on the barrelhead.

2. 2nouncountable

   The flat end of a drum or similar cylindrical container.

   Grammar: Countable; used for any container with a flat circular end.

   Patterns

   • the barrelhead of a drum
   • seal the barrelhead
   • a barrelhead fitting

   The drum's barrelhead was damaged in transit.

   They replaced the barrelhead with a new steel plate.

   A barrelhead valve controls the flow.

Word forms

Common combinations

barrelhead bung

The barrelhead bung was leaking, so they tightened it.

barrelhead opening

The barrelhead opening allows access to the interior.

barrelhead seal

A damaged barrelhead seal can cause spoilage.

barrelhead valve

The barrelhead valve is used to drain the drum.

barrelhead fitting

The barrelhead fitting connects to the pipe.

Synonyms and how they differ

barrel top

More descriptive and common in everyday speech; barrelhead is more technical and often refers to the whole flat end piece.

drum head

Used specifically for drums; barrelhead is used for barrels and similar containers.

Word family

barrel noun

A large cylindrical container with a flat top and bottom.

barrelful noun

The amount that a barrel can hold.

Commonly confused: barrelhead or barrel head?

Practice

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