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

Attention soon turned to the baby wearing a sleeping cap in the next row; Lufthansa offered a bassinet that attached to the bulkhead. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

An airline steward took her for a walk, and another passenger in a bulkhead who had extra room took her for a bit. —Evy Poumpouras, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2025

The hills were on fire—flames 10 stories high, plumes of black smoke engulfing the land as if the bulkhead of Hell swung open right there on the side of the mountain. —Allure Editors, Allure, 17 Jan. 2025

Some bulkhead seats on Air France’s newest cabins, like mine (1A on the A350), even feature a full-length vanity and closet for hanging a jacket. —Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 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