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sluice valve

sluice valve

7.2
A gate that controls water flow in a canal
  • noun
  • /slus vælv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : válvula de compuerta
  • Flood control depends on the careful operation of each sluice valve along the canal.

Examples

  • The sluice valve controls the water flow in the irrigation system.

  • Before repairs began, all sluice valves needed to be closed to stop the water flow.

  • The engineer inspected the sluice valve to ensure it was not leaking.

  • Can you check the sluice valve before we start the pump?

  • Each sluice valve must be opened carefully to allow water to flow into the fields.

  • During the storm, we monitored the sluice valves to prevent flooding in the area.

  • The technician replaced the faulty sluice valve to improve the water regulation system.

Synonyms

spigot
vssluice valve
  • US
7 5.5

A small tap that controls liquid coming from a container

is for regulating channel flow rather than releasing liquid from containers
floodgate
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
5 4.0

A metal door that controls water flowing through a dam or channel

is used for general flow regulation in a channel rather than dam control
sluice gate
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A gate that opens to let water flow and closes to stop it in a river or canal

is a broader term covering both valves and gates for channel control
sluicegate
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
8.9

A gate that controls the flow of water in a channel

means the same but is written as two separate words
water gate
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
4.8

A gate or valve that controls water flow in dams and canals

focuses more narrowly on devices used specifically within a sluice channel
head gate
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
7.4

A movable barrier at the start of a canal that controls water flow

covers devices placed inside channels to regulate flow rather than at entry
slide valve
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
7.7

A device that controls the flow of a liquid or gas by sliding over an opening

applies to water channel control rather than machinery or engine use
clack valve
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
8.8

A small device with a flap that lets liquid flow one way only

controls flow amount bidirectionally rather than permitting one direction only
clapper valve
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
8.0

A simple device with a hinged flap that lets liquid flow in one direction and stops it flowing back

serves to regulate how much water passes rather than only blocking reverse flow
clack
vssluice valve
  • Specialized
8.7

A small part in a pipe that lets water flow only one way

is aimed at adjusting flow rate and opening, not just stopping reverse flow

How Effective

floodgate
  • Specialized
5 4.0
sluice valve
  • Specialized
7.2
valve
  • Specialized
153 4.1
tap
  • UK
76 1.0

Surface Forms

sluice valve singular
sluice valves plural

Morphology

sluice + valve

The meaning 'a valve or gate for regulating the flow of water through a sluice' is directly and transparently composed from 'sluice' (a passage controlled by a gate for directing water) and 'valve' (a flow-control device). This noun+noun compound follows a straightforward compositional pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Sluice valve comes from the simple image of a gate holding back water. A sluice is a channel with a gate and a valve opens or closes, so together they mean 'a gate that controls the flow of water'.