Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bulkhead

/ˈbʌlk.hɛd/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.75 in modern English

Syllables: bulk-head
IPA: /ˈbʌlk.hɛd/

18

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A vertical partition dividing the hull into separate compartments; often made watertight to prevent excessive flooding if the ship's hull is breached.

noun

A similar partition in an aircraft or spacecraft, or some rail vehicles.

noun

A partition or panel through which connectors pass, or a connector designed to pass through a partition.

noun

A pressure-resistant sealed barrier to any fluid in a large structure.

noun

A retaining wall along a waterfront.

noun

A cellar hatchway.

Example Sentences

"Lastly, Lundberg went belowdecks to inspect the boat's bulkheads and hull—for what, it was not clear, since he had absolutely no knowledge of steamboat design."
"For rigidity, two bulkheads are provided which are welded to the sides and underframe and which separate the cabs from the engine room."
"Folding blinds are fitted to the cab bulkhead windows and sunblinds at the driving windows."
"She bumped her noggin on the bulkhead above the doorway, smiled in apology for her presumed clumsiness."

Etymology

From Old Norse bálkr (“partition”) + head, anglicised as bulk + head.

Origin

Source language: Old Norse

Word Breakdown

Root: bálkr

Inflected Forms

bulkheads (plural)

Derived Forms

bulkheaded bulkheading nonbulkhead

Phrases

bulkhead line collision bulkhead forepeak bulkhead

Frequently Paired Words

deckhead

Questions

How do you pronounce bulkhead?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbʌlk.hɛd/.
What does bulkhead mean?: A vertical partition dividing the hull into separate compartments; often made watertight to prevent excessive flooding if the ship's hull is breached.
Where does bulkhead come from?: It is traced to Old Norse.

How to pronounce bulkhead

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “bulkhead”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbʌlk.hɛd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “bulkhead”.
Repeat and practice — Say “bulkhead” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.