sluice valve
- noun
- /slus vælv/
- Specialized
- 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.
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Can you check the sluice valve before we start the pump?
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Each sluice valve must be opened carefully to allow water to flow into the fields.
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During the storm, we monitored the sluice valves to prevent flooding in the area.
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The technician replaced the faulty sluice valve to improve the water regulation system.
Synonyms
12
5.5
A small tap that controls liquid coming from a container
5
4.0
A metal door that controls water flowing through a dam or channel
1
6.5
A gate that opens to let water flow and closes to stop it in a river or canal
1
4.8
A gate or valve that controls water flow in dams and canals
1
7.4
A movable barrier at the start of a canal that controls water flow
1
8.9
A gate that controls the flow of water in a channel
1
8.7
A small part in a pipe that lets water flow only one way
1
8.8
A small device with a flap that lets liquid flow one way only
1
7.7
A device that controls the flow of a liquid or gas by sliding over an opening
A simple device with a hinged flap that lets liquid flow in one direction and stops it flowing back
How Effective
Surface Forms
Morphology
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'.