depressurize

verb

de·​pres·​sur·​ize (ˌ)dē-ˈpre-shə-ˌrīz How to pronounce depressurize (audio)
depressurized; depressurizing; depressurizes

transitive verb

: to release pressure from
depressurization noun

Examples of depressurize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Aviation authorities are investigating why an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet lost a door-sized section of its fuselage six minutes after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, a failure that critically depressurized the aircraft and forced an emergency landing Friday. George Petras, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 Shortly after takeoff, a door-sized section of the fuselage blew out midair, depressurizing the aircraft and forcing an emergency landing. Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 11 Jan. 2024 To the horror of the passengers, the cabin rapidly depressurized and the plane swiftly turned back to Portland; there were only minor injuries to the 171 passengers and six crew members. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2024 The plane’s cabin suddenly depressurized as the door plug blew out, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane as the aircraft was 16,000 feet in the air. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024 The cabin became depressurized shortly after takeoff, and the pilots asked for an emergency landing, according to the transcript of an air traffic control call from LiveATC.net. Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2024 Soon, a refrigerator-sized piece of the plane, which was later found in a Portland schoolteacher’s yard, ripped off the left side of aircraft near row 26, leaving a gaping hole—and causing the cabin to quickly depressurize. Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2024 After the incident, the pilot told air traffic control that the flight had depressurized. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2024 The cabin became depressurized shortly after take-off and the pilots asked for an emergency landing, according to the transcript of an air traffic control call from LiveATC.net. Amanda Maile, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'depressurize.' 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

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of depressurize was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near depressurize

Cite this Entry

“Depressurize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressurize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

depressurize

verb
de·​pres·​sur·​ize (ˈ)dē-ˈpresh-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce depressurize (audio)
: to release (as an aircraft with near-normal atmospheric pressure) from pressure
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!