diaphragm

n. the large, flat muscle between your chest and stomach that helps you breathe.

n. the primary muscle of respiration in mammals, separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

“Singers learn to breathe from the diaphragm to support their voice.”

“During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, creating a vacuum that draws air into the lungs.”

Technical

n. a part of a camera lens that opens and closes to control how much light gets in.

n. an adjustable thin opaque structure with a central aperture used to regulate the amount of light reaching a film or sensor.

“Adjusting the diaphragm changes the depth of field in your photo.”

“The photographer narrowed the diaphragm to ensure that both the foreground flowers and the distant mountains remained in sharp focus.”

Technical

n. a small, flexible cup used by women as a method of birth control.

n. a barrier contraceptive device consisting of a flexible silicone cup designed to cover the cervix.

“She spoke with her doctor about using a diaphragm for family planning.”

“When used correctly with spermicide, the diaphragm provides an effective non-hormonal method of contraception.”

Technical

n. the thin part of a speaker or microphone that vibrates to make or record sound.

n. a thin, semi-rigid membrane in an acoustic transducer that vibrates to produce or receive sound waves.

“The speaker's diaphragm was damaged, causing the sound to crackle.”

“High-end headphones often utilize extremely lightweight diaphragms to achieve a faster transient response and greater clarity.”

Technical

n. a flexible sheet that moves when the pressure on one side changes.

n. a flexible partition between two chambers that distends in response to pressure differentials.

“The pump uses a rubber diaphragm to move the liquid through the pipes.”

“The industrial valve failed because the internal diaphragm had perished after years of exposure to corrosive chemicals.”

Technical

v. to change the size of the opening in a camera lens.

v. to regulate or reduce the aperture of an optical system using a diaphragm.

“You may need to diaphragm the lens to get a clearer image in bright sun.”

“The technician had to diaphragm the microscope carefully to eliminate the glare from the slide illumination.”

Technical