air lock
noun
1
: an intermediate chamber with two airtight doors or openings to permit passage between two dissimilar spaces (such as two places of unequal atmospheric pressure)
2
: a stoppage of flow caused by air being in a part where liquid ought to circulate
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Gabi had told me that stowaways must be sent out the air lock. 
Neima Jahromi, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022 Hidden in the corner behind a zip-up air lock was Padilla-Brown’s lab. Doug Bierend, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2021 Then, in an air lock and still suited, each will take a 10-minute shower that sprays them from all sides with a chemical detergent. New York Times, 23 Nov. 2021 Pre-pandemic, Pfizer’s Pearl River research center didn’t have a biosafety level 3 lab required to grow Covid-19 — with an air lock and scientists clothed in hooded white suits, gloves, impervious gowns, and using an air-purifying respirator. Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 30 Aug. 2021 The air lock butyl bladder is added for air retention during regular play. Chris Hachey, BGR, 21 May 2021 Passengers would arrive and depart over various cities by means of shuttle planes that would nose into a retractable air lock under the fuselage. Thomas E. Stimson, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2021 The air lock butyl bladder is added for air retention during regular play. Chris Hachey, BGR, 21 May 2021 The air lock butyl bladder is added for air retention during regular play. Chris Hachey, BGR, 21 May 2021 See More
Neima Jahromi, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022 Hidden in the corner behind a zip-up air lock was Padilla-Brown’s lab. Doug Bierend, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2021 Then, in an air lock and still suited, each will take a 10-minute shower that sprays them from all sides with a chemical detergent. New York Times, 23 Nov. 2021 Pre-pandemic, Pfizer’s Pearl River research center didn’t have a biosafety level 3 lab required to grow Covid-19 — with an air lock and scientists clothed in hooded white suits, gloves, impervious gowns, and using an air-purifying respirator. Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 30 Aug. 2021 The air lock butyl bladder is added for air retention during regular play. Chris Hachey, BGR, 21 May 2021 Passengers would arrive and depart over various cities by means of shuttle planes that would nose into a retractable air lock under the fuselage. Thomas E. Stimson, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2021 The air lock butyl bladder is added for air retention during regular play. Chris Hachey, BGR, 21 May 2021 The air lock butyl bladder is added for air retention during regular play. Chris Hachey, BGR, 21 May 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1