bulkhead

noun

bulk·​head ˈbəlk-ˌhed  ˈbəl-ˌked 

1

: an upright partition separating compartments

2

: a structure or partition to resist pressure or to shut off water, fire, or gas

3

: a retaining wall along a waterfront

4

: a projecting framework with a sloping door giving access to a cellar stairway or a shaft

Examples of bulkhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And scientific director Steven Ross said that, on a dive just a few days before the Titan imploded, the vessel became unstable because of a ballast problem, causing passengers to tumble and crash into a bulkhead. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 June 2023

According to Ross, six days before the Titan submarine imploded, the sub’s pilot and the company’s co-founder, Stockton Rush, crashed the vessel into a launch mechanism bulkhead while the vessel was attempting to resurface from Dive 87. —Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 20 Sep. 2024

The interior by Nauta Design features lots of windows on the superstructure of the salon, as well as a massive roof window, with lounges set along the bulkheads. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2024

The second and third choices went to the window bulkhead seats in economy—5.68% of respondents chose the right side and 5.63% chose the left. —Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

bulk (structure projecting from a building) + head

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bulkhead

noun

bulk·​head ˈbəlk-ˌhed 

1

: a wall separating compartments

2

: an external structure with a sloping door leading to the cellar stairway of a house