valve

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A device that opens and closes to control the flow of liquid, gas, or air through a pipe or opening.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with verbs like 'open', 'close', 'turn'.

   Patterns

   • open a valve
   • close a valve
   • a valve in something

   Turn the valve clockwise to shut off the water.

   A faulty valve caused the gas leak.

   The plumber replaced the valve under the sink.

2. 2nouncountablemedicalbiology

   A flap or structure in the body, especially in the heart or veins, that keeps blood flowing in one direction.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in medical contexts.

   Patterns

   • heart valve
   • a valve in the heart

   The surgeon repaired a damaged heart valve.

   Valves in your veins stop blood from flowing backward.

   She was born with a narrow valve that needed monitoring.

3. 3nouncountablemusic

   A part of a brass instrument, such as a trumpet, that you press to change the note.

   Grammar: Countable; usually plural when talking about the instrument's mechanism.

   Patterns

   • press the valves
   • valves on a trumpet

   He pressed the valves to play a higher note.

   The trumpet has three valves.

   One of the valves on her horn was stuck.

4. 4nouncountabletechnicalold-fashioned

   A closed tube with a small opening, used in early radios and other electronic devices to control current.

   Grammar: Countable; now mostly historical.

   Patterns

   • vacuum valve
   • a valve in a radio

   The old radio still worked, its valves glowing warmly.

   He collected antique valves from broken radios.

   Before transistors, radios relied on valves.

Word forms

Common combinations

heart valve

The heart valve opens and closes with each beat.

safety valve

The safety valve released steam to prevent an explosion.

valve stem

The valve stem on the tire was leaking air.

turn the valve

Turn the valve to adjust the flow.

valve replacement

He needed valve replacement surgery.

Synonyms and how they differ

stopcock

A specific type of valve for turning liquid on and off, often in plumbing.

faucet

A faucet is the fixture you turn to get water; a valve is the internal part that controls flow.

Word family

valvular adjective

Relating to a valve, especially in the heart.

Commonly confused: valve or tube?

Practice

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