bulkhead

From Old Norse bálkr (“partition”) + head, anglicised as bulk +‎ head.

• IPA^(key): /ˈbʌlk.hɛd/

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bulkhead (plural bulkheads)

1. (nautical) A vertical partition dividing the hull into separate compartments; often made watertight to prevent excessive flooding if the ship's hull is breached.

   Coordinate term: deckhead

   • 2003, Edward T. O'Donnell, Ship Ablaze: The Tragedy of the Steamboat General Slocum, page 54:

     Lastly, Lundberg went belowdecks to inspect the boat's bulkheads and hull—for what, it was not clear, since he had absolutely no knowledge of steamboat design.

2. (aerospace, rail transport) A similar partition in an aircraft or spacecraft, or some rail vehicles.
   • 1958 September, “Swindon's First Main-Line Diesel Locomotive”, in Railway Magazine, page 601:

     For rigidity, two bulkheads are provided which are welded to the sides and underframe and which separate the cabs from the engine room.

   • 1959 January, “Single-Unit Diesel Railcars for the Western Region”, in Railway Magazine, page 58:

     Folding blinds are fitted to the cab bulkhead windows and sunblinds at the driving windows.

3. (mechanics) A partition or panel through which connectors pass, or a connector designed to pass through a partition.
4. A pressure-resistant sealed barrier to any fluid in a large structure.
5. A retaining wall along a waterfront.
6. (Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine) A cellar hatchway.
   • 2003, John Farris, The Fury and the Power‎^[1]:

     She bumped her noggin on the bulkhead above the doorway, smiled in apology for her presumed clumsiness.