water hammer

English

Noun

water hammer (countable and uncountable, plural water hammers)

1. (uncountable) A surge of pressure in a pipe carrying a fluid; especially the banging sound in a steam or hot water pipe caused by bubbles of air, or by an abrupt alteration of the flow.
2. (countable, historical) A metal hammer used when heated, as by dipping in hot water, to blister the skin, as for counterirritation.

See also

• fluid hammer