diaphragm

noun

di·​a·​phragm ˈdī-ə-ˌfram How to pronounce diaphragm (audio)
1
: a body partition of muscle and connective tissue
specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals
2
: a dividing membrane or thin partition especially in a tube
3
a
: a more or less rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate
b
: a transverse septum in a plant stem
4
: a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system compare iris diaphragm
5
: a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves or that vibrates to generate sound waves
6
: a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier
diaphragmatic adjective
diaphragmatically adverb

Examples of diaphragm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Each 50mm driver in the Logitech headset has a graphene diaphragm instead of the typical Mylar material found in most other headsets. Popular Science, 29 Nov. 2023 Take short, rapid breaths through your nose and forcefully contract your diaphragm and belly. Mikayla Morell, Health, 22 Dec. 2023 Three souls: Immortal (in the head) and Mortal (divided into two parts by the diaphragm). Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2023 But there aren’t many options for people like Marissa, and the ones that do exist — condoms, diaphragms, the copper IUD — have their own drawbacks. Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023 From the diaphragm, an unsanctioned sob began its upward pilgrimage. Teju Cole, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023 The salt may irritate your eyes or get in your nose. Breathe deeply from your diaphragm. Anne McCarthy, Health, 31 Oct. 2023 The process, which takes only roughly a second, is activated by the stethoscope user by waving their hand under the dispenser and then placing the stethoscope’s diaphragm into the dispenser’s port to apply the disk. Kristen Lynch, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2023 Easy fixes for when your diaphragm won't stop spasming. Jessica Migala, Health, 6 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diaphragm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diafragma, borrowed from Late Latin diaphragma, borrowed from Greek diáphragma "partition, barrier, partition of tissue separating organs," from diaphrak-, stem of diaphrássein "to divide off, separate" (from dia- dia- + phrássein, Attic phráttein "to fence in, enclose, block," of obscure origin) + -ma, resultative noun suffix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diaphragm was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near diaphragm

Cite this Entry

“Diaphragm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diaphragm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diaphragm

noun
di·​a·​phragm ˈdī-ə-ˌfram How to pronounce diaphragm (audio)
1
: a sheet of muscle that separates the cavities of the chest and abdomen in mammals
2
: a device that limits the size of an opening in order to control the amount of light passing through a lens (as of a camera or microscope)
3
: a thin flexible disk that vibrates (as in a microphone)
4
: a cup-shaped device usually of thin rubber that fits over the cervix of the uterus and acts to prevent pregnancy by keeping sperm from reaching the egg
diaphragmatic adjective

Medical Definition

diaphragm

noun
di·​a·​phragm ˈdī-ə-ˌfram How to pronounce diaphragm (audio)
1
: a body partition of muscle and connective tissue
specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals see pelvic diaphragm, urogenital diaphragm
2
: a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system
3
: a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier

More from Merriam-Webster on diaphragm

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