chamber

CHAYM-bur/ˈt͡ʃeɪmbɚ/UKCHAYM-buh/ˈtʃeɪmbə(ɹ)/

20 meanings of chamber

1
nouncountable
An enclosed space that works like a room or takes the place of one.
Like a hidden room you didn't know was there.
Deep in the cave, they found a hidden chamber.
The old house had a secret chamber under the stairs.
Similarroom, vault, cavity
Note
2
nouncountable
The large room where a group of lawmakers meets to talk about and vote on new laws.
Reporters waited outside the chamber as the vote went on.
The senators returned to the chamber after lunch.
3
nouncountable
One of the four hollow spaces inside the heart that fill with blood and push it out.
Like rooms in a house, each one passing something along to the next.
The doctor explained that each chamber of the heart has its own job.
Blood moves from one chamber to the next with every heartbeat.
4
nouncountable
The part of a gun that holds the bullet just before it is fired.
Like the spot where a single bullet sits, ready to go.
He checked that the chamber was empty before cleaning the rifle.
A jammed bullet was stuck in the chamber.
Note
5
nouncountable
The private office where a judge works away from the courtroom.
Like a teacher's own room behind the classroom.
The judge called the lawyers into her chamber.
After the hearing, the judge returned to his chamber to read the files.
Similaroffice
6
nounfigurativelycountable
One of the parts a lawmaking body is split into, such as a group of senators or representatives.
Like one of two groups that must both say yes before something happens.
The upper chamber rejected the proposed law.
Both chambers must agree before a bill becomes law.
Similarhouse
Note
7
nouncountable
One of the small holes in a revolver's spinning cylinder, each one holding a single bullet.
Like slots on a spinning wheel, each holding one thing.
She loaded a bullet into each chamber of the revolver.
One chamber was left empty for safety.
Note
8
nouncountable
A private room belonging to one person, especially a rich or noble person.
Like your own room that only you are allowed to enter.
The queen rested in her private chamber.
Servants were not allowed inside the lord's chamber.
Similarroom
Note
9
nouncountable
The room in a house where a person sleeps.
Like the room where you go to sleep each night.
She lit a candle and went up to her chamber.
The children's chamber was at the end of the hall.
Similarbedroom, room
10
verbtransitive
To load a bullet into the part of a gun that holds it just before firing.
Like sliding a single arrow onto a bow before you shoot.
He chambered a round before stepping outside.
Always chamber the bullet carefully.
Similarload
Oppositeeject
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11
verbtransitive
To make or change a gun so it fires one certain size of bullet.
Like sizing a slot to fit just one width of coin.
The gunsmith chambered the rifle for a heavier round.
They chamber each pistol for the cartridge the buyer asks for.
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12
verbtransitive
To shut a person or thing inside a room.
The guards chambered the prisoner in a windowless cell.
They chamber the captives separately every night.
Similarconfine, enclose
Oppositerelease
13
verbtransitive
To pull back an arm, leg, or weapon, ready to strike with force.
Like pulling back a spring before letting it go.
She chambered her fist before throwing the punch.
Good fighters chamber the kick fully before extending the leg.
Note
14
verbintransitive
To live in or use a room or set of rooms.
The students chamber together in the old college building.
He chambered above the shop for many years.
Similarlodge, live, room
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15
nounUKcountable
A lawyer's office in a building that holds many separate offices.
Her chambers occupied the top floor of the Georgian terrace.
He took a chamber on the ground floor near the clerks' room.
Similaroffice
Note
16
nouncountable
A wider space in the underground tunnel of a digging animal.
Like a small room that opens off a long hallway.
The badger lined the deepest chamber with dry grass.
Rabbits dig several chambers off the main burrow.
Note
17
noundatedcountable
Rented rooms in a house where people lodge.
He let comfortable chambers near the river to two clerks.
She kept a tidy chamber on the second floor of the lodging house.
Similarlodgings, rooms, quarters
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18
nounhistoricalcountable
A short cannon that stood on its base without wheels, once used for celebrations and stage gunfire.
Like a toy cannon that makes a loud bang but fires nothing.
The gunners loaded the chambers along the wall for the king's birthday salute.
A single chamber was fired from the pit to mimic distant thunder during the play.
Note
19
nounobsoleteabbreviationellipsis
Short form of chamber pot. An old word for a pot once kept in bedrooms and used as a toilet at night.
The maid emptied the chamber into the gutter each morning.
He kept a chamber beneath the bed for use during the night.
Note
20
verbobsolete
To behave in a lustful, shameless way.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It came through Old French chambre from Latin camera, which came from a Greek word meaning a vaulted room.