chamber

A closed space inside something, often used to hold material or allow a process to happen.

• The chamber was empty.
• Gas burns inside the engine's combustion chamber.
• Blood flows from one chamber of the heart to another.

Similar words: compartment, cavity

Common phrases: combustion chamber, sealed chamber, heart chamber, empty chamber

A group of elected people who discuss and vote on laws, forming all or part of a parliament.

• The upper chamber approved the bill.
• Both chambers must agree before the proposal becomes law.
• Her party holds a majority in the lower chamber.

Similar words: house, legislative body

Common phrases: lower chamber, upper chamber, legislative chamber

A room, especially one used for sleeping or private activities.

• The king returned to his chamber.
• She slept in a small chamber upstairs.
• A servant opened the door to the queen's chamber.

Similar words: room, bedroom

Common phrases: private chamber, royal chamber, bed chamber, sleeping chamber

To put a bullet or cartridge into the part of a gun where it is ready to fire.

• He chambered a round.
• The officer checked whether a cartridge had been chambered.
• This rifle automatically chambers another round after firing.

Similar words: load

Common phrases: chamber a round, chamber a cartridge, chamber a bullet

To make or change a gun so it can use ammunition of a particular size or type.

• They chambered the rifle for larger cartridges.
• This pistol is chambered for nine-millimeter ammunition.
• Can the gunsmith chamber this barrel for a different cartridge?

How to use it: chamber something for something (The manufacturer chambers this rifle for several cartridge types.)

Common phrases: chamber a rifle, chamber for something

To put or shut someone or something inside a room or another closed space.

• The host chambered his guests upstairs.
• She chambered herself in a quiet room.
• They chambered the prisoner behind a locked door.

How to use it: chamber someone/something in something (The lord chambered his guests in the west tower.)

Similar words: enclose, confine

Common phrases: chamber someone, chamber oneself