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
Between the lines: Shiley's late husband, engineer Donald P. Shiley, co-invented an artificial heart valve in the 1960s that transformed heart surgery and other life-saving medical devices.
—
Kate Murphy, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
This module will monitor valve performance and detect excess wear approximately 10,000 miles before a wheel lock-up condition could occur.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024
The Cavaliers handled Golden State’s traps on high ball screens much better than other teams have, finding release valves and then open shooters.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
This imaging uses ultrasound waves to view the size, structure, and function of the heart's chambers and valves.
—Alexandria Nyembwe, Phd, Rn, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for valve 
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Kate Murphy, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
This module will monitor valve performance and detect excess wear approximately 10,000 miles before a wheel lock-up condition could occur.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024
The Cavaliers handled Golden State’s traps on high ball screens much better than other teams have, finding release valves and then open shooters.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
This imaging uses ultrasound waves to view the size, structure, and function of the heart's chambers and valves.
—Alexandria Nyembwe, Phd, Rn, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for valve
Dictionary Entries Near valve
Cite this Entry
“Valve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valve. Accessed 1 Dec. 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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