bulkhead

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   A strong wall or partition inside a ship or aircraft that divides it into sections and is often watertight or fireproof.

   Grammar: A countable noun with the plural bulkheads; often named by position, as in forward bulkhead.

   Patterns

   • a watertight bulkhead
   • the forward/cargo bulkhead
   • seal a bulkhead

   The ship stayed afloat because a watertight bulkhead held back the flood.

   Crew members stored supplies behind the cargo bulkhead.

   A fire broke out near the engine-room bulkhead.

2. 2nouncountable

   A similar dividing wall or partition in a building, tunnel, or other structure that separates or strengthens sections.

   Grammar: Also countable; used for partitions in basements, tunnels, stairwells, and similar spaces.

   Patterns

   • an interior bulkhead
   • a bulkhead wall
   • install a bulkhead

   A concrete bulkhead separates the two halves of the tunnel.

   The builders added a bulkhead to frame the stairwell opening.

   Water seeped in around the basement bulkhead door.

Word forms

Common combinations

a watertight bulkhead

The watertight bulkhead prevented the leak from spreading.

forward/aft bulkhead

Life jackets are stored near the forward bulkhead.

bulkhead door/hatch

He climbed through the narrow bulkhead hatch into the hold.

install a bulkhead

We installed a bulkhead to divide the large basement room.

Synonyms and how they differ

partition

Partition is the general word for any dividing wall; bulkhead specifically suggests a strong, sealing wall in a vessel or structure.

divider

Divider is everyday and usually lighter and less protective than a bulkhead.

wall

Wall is the broadest term; bulkhead implies a special structural or sealing function.

Practice

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