SKIP TO CONTENT

gasket

/ˈgæskət/
/ˈgɑskɪt/
IPA guide

Other forms: gaskets

A piece of rubber that's used to fill the bit of space between two parts of an engine is called a gasket. If your car has an oil leak, with any luck you'll just need to replace a gasket.

The job of a gasket is to prevent leaks and form a seal between two surfaces, usually the parts of a machine or system. Plumbing requires gaskets to prevent water seeping between pipes and fittings, and your car relies on its head gasket, which sits between the cylinder head and engine block, to keep it running. Colloquially, to "blow a gasket" means to get furious or extremely upset.

Definitions of gasket
  1. noun
    seal consisting of a ring for packing pistons or sealing a pipe joint
    see moresee less
    types:
    head gasket
    a gasket to seal a cylinder head
    O ring
    a gasket consisting of a flat ring of rubber or plastic; used to seal a joint against high pressure
    type of:
    seal
    fastener that provides a tight and perfect closure
Pronunciation
US
/ˈgæskət/
UK
/ˈgɑskɪt/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘gasket'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family