penstock

noun

pen·​stock ˈpen-ˌstäk How to pronounce penstock (audio)
1
: a sluice or gate for regulating a flow (as of water)
2
: a conduit or pipe for conducting water

Examples of penstock in a Sentence

a penstock carried water for the waterwheel
Recent Examples on the Web River water entered the powerhouse and fell down a system of 140-foot vertical pipes, called penstocks, one for each generator. Charles R. Morris, WSJ, 21 June 2018 The penstock flows powered the turbines that turned shafts activating the top-side generators. Charles R. Morris, WSJ, 21 June 2018 The reservoir can also be lowered by discharges through the dam’s power plant, but one of the two power plant outlets, known as penstocks, was shut down for routine maintenance of turbines. Ralph Vartabedian, latimes.com, 10 May 2017 Equipment: An intake gate called a penstock, valves and pressure gauges, turbine, switchgear, inverter, and electronics. Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 6 Feb. 2017

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

Word History

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of penstock was in 1543

Dictionary Entries Near penstock

Cite this Entry

“Penstock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penstock. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

penstock

noun
pen·​stock ˈpen-ˌstäk How to pronounce penstock (audio)
1
: a gate or valve for regulating a flow (as of water)
2
: a pipe for carrying water
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