Your diaphragm is a muscle between your lungs and your stomach. It is used when you breathe.
2. countable noun
A diaphragm is a circular rubber contraceptive device that a woman places inside her vagina.
diaphragm in British English
(ˈdaɪəˌfræm)
noun
1. anatomy
any separating membrane, esp the dome-shaped muscular partition that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities in mammals
▶ Related adjective: phrenic
2.
a circular rubber or plastic contraceptive membrane placed over the mouth of the uterine cervix before copulation to prevent entrance of sperm
3.
any thin dividing membrane
4. Also called: stop
a disc with a fixed or adjustable aperture to control the amount of light or other radiation entering an optical instrument, such as a camera
5.
a thin disc that vibrates when receiving or producing sound waves, used to convert sound signals to electrical signals or vice versa in telephones, etc
6. chemistry
a.
a porous plate or cylinder dividing an electrolytic cell, used to permit the passage of ions and prevent the mixing of products formed at the electrodes
b.
a semipermeable membrane used to separate two solutions in osmosis
7. botany
a transverse plate of cells that occurs in the stems of certain aquatic plants
Derived forms
diaphragmatic (ˌdaɪəfræɡˈmætɪk)
adjective
diaphragmatically (ˌdiaphragˈmatically)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Late Latin diaphragma, from Greek, from dia- + phragma fence
diaphragm in American English
(ˈdaɪəˌfræm)
noun
1.
the partition of muscles and tendons between the chest cavity and the abdominal cavity; midriff
2.
a.
any membrane or partition that separates one thing from another
b.
a dividing wall at the node of a plant stem
3.
a device to regulate the amount of light entering the lens of a camera, microscope, etc.
4. US
a small, flexible contraceptive device of rubber or plastic that fits over the cervix of the uterus
5.
a thin, flexible disk or cone that vibrates in response to sound waves to produce electrical signals, as in a microphone, or that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves, as ina speaker
Derived forms
diaphragmatic (ˌdiaphragˈmatic) (ˈdaɪəfrægˈmætɪk)
adjective
diaphragmatically (ˌdiaphragˈmatically)
adverb
Word origin
ME diafragma < LL diaphragma < Gr < dia-, through + phragma, a fence < phrassein, to enclose
diaphragm in Automotive Engineering
(daɪəfræm)
Word forms: (regular plural) diaphragms
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Brakes, steering, wheels, tires, and suspension)
A diaphragm is a flexible disk or membrane which moves under pressure and causes a rod in a brake or carburetor to move.
When engine vacuum is high, the diaphragm is depressed more, which opens the valve more, letting more fuel back into the fueltank.
A flexible diaphragm regulates the amount of fuel available inside the carburetor.
Pressurized air in the brake chamber pushes the diaphragm, which pushes the push rod.
diaphragm in Chemical Engineering
(daɪəfræm)
Word forms: (regular plural) diaphragms
noun
(Chemical Engineering: General)
A diaphragm is a thin piece of impermeable material that moves and bends when there is a pressure difference across it.
When there is a pressure difference between the two sides of the diaphragm, its center deflects.
The diaphragm serves as a moving barrier between liquids during periods of pressure imbalance.
A diaphragm is a thin piece of impermeable material that moves and bends when there is a pressuredifference across it.
diaphragm pump
Examples of 'diaphragm' in a sentence
diaphragm
To be a good opera singer you have to use your lungs and diaphragm.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Use your diaphragm and stomach muscles while keeping your upper chest relaxed.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley Stay Well This Winter (1989)
Miracle Her lungs and diaphragm also collapsed.
The Sun (2010)
Doesn't need special fitting, as a cap or diaphragm does.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
In other languages
diaphragm
British English: diaphragm NOUN
Your diaphragm is a muscle between your lungs and your stomach. It is used when you breathe.