airlock

noun

1. 1

   A sealed, airtight chamber, such as in a manned spacecraft or submarine, used to provide access to and from the sealed area without allowing air out or water in.

   At the head of the machine, we are shown the airlock through which people have to pass to work on the cutting head, as it operates under pressure to prevent leakages into the tunnel.

2. 2

   informalA vestibule, foyer or entranceway with doors to the exterior on one end and doors to the interior on the other, functioning to keep indoor and outdoor air, humidity, and air temperatures separate.

3. 3

   Variant of air lockAlternative form of air lock.

verb

1. 1

   To secure with an airlock.

2. 2

   To dispose of through an airlock.

   Delighted by the unexpected two-pelt bonus, he airlocked the meat. Wookiee tasted oily and foul.

   I'm glad I hid it when I arrived on board because I'm pretty sure Skylar would've airlocked it along with my trusty cardigan and my dirty sneakers if she found them.

   I think he'd airlock me if he knew my real feelings.

3. 3

   figurativeTo firewall, to maintain an ethical wall.

   […]cosmetics manufacturing enterprises do not want to have wholesalers standing in the middle to mark up prices of their products, and this has in fact affected the competitiveness of the manufacturers and airlocked the manufacturers from consumer dynamics.

Forms

plural

airlocks

past tense

airlocked

past participle

airlocked

present participle

airlocking

third person singular

airlocks