noun Download 🔗Share In mammals, a sheet of muscle separating the thorax from the abdomen, contracted and relaxed in respiration to draw air into and expel air from the lungs; also called thoracic diaphragm. Examples : "My grandpa, who has trouble breathing, is working hard to strengthen his diaphragm muscles for better lung function. " anatomy organ body physiology medicine biology Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun Download 🔗Share Any of various membranes or sheets of muscle or ligament which separate one cavity from another. Examples : "The diaphragm separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. " anatomy organ physiology body biology medicine Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun Download 🔗Share A contraceptive device consisting of a flexible cup, used to cover the cervix during intercourse. Examples : "The doctor explained how to properly insert the diaphragm before intercourse to prevent pregnancy. " medicine sex device body organ biology anatomy physiology human Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun Download 🔗Share A flexible membrane separating two chambers and fixed around its periphery that distends into one or other chamber as the difference in the pressure in the chambers varies. Examples : "The diaphragm in my lungs expanded as I took a deep breath. " physiology anatomy organ part body medicine biology Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun Download 🔗Share (acoustics) In a speaker, the thin, semi-rigid membrane which vibrates to produce sound. Examples : "The speaker's diaphragm vibrated rapidly, creating a loud, clear sound. " sound electronics device machine technical Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun Download 🔗Share A thin opaque structure with a central aperture, used to limit the passage of light into a camera or similar device. Examples : "The photographer adjusted the diaphragm in the camera to control how much light reached the film. " technology device machine part Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun Download 🔗Share A permeable or semipermeable membrane. Examples : "The coffee filter acted as a diaphragm, allowing the liquid to pass through while trapping the coffee grounds. " biology medicine anatomy organ body physiology Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun Download 🔗Share A floor slab, metal wall panel, roof panel or the like, having a sufficiently large in-plane shear stiffness and sufficient strength to transmit horizontal forces to resisting systems. Examples : "The diaphragm in the school auditorium's ceiling helped distribute the weight of the fans evenly, preventing the ceiling from collapsing under the load. " architecture material building structure technical Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb Download 🔗Share To reduce lens aperture using an optical diaphragm. Examples : "The photographer diaphragmed the lens to capture more of the details in the family portrait. " technology device machine art Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb Download 🔗Share To act as a diaphragm, for example by vibrating. Examples : "The speaker's throat diaphragmed, creating a low, rumbling sound as they struggled to clear their voice before starting the presentation. " physiology organ body function Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
