Meaning of water column | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A notional column of water from the surface to the bottom in a natural setting, notable for the differences in physical and chemical properties at various depths.
2. The zone in which ascent and descent occur.
3. A column alongside a railway track used to replenish a steam engine's water supply.
4. The column of water inside the graduated cylinder of a pressure gauge that measures pressure in inches of water.

Examples

“At Carlisle, as is customary, there was a very slow stop for the engine to draw to the water column.”

“There could be no easy reversion to the pre-electrification timetable, as that provided for working over the Hyndland branch, which no longer existed, and new stations had come into use at Hyndland and Garscadden; moreover, water columns all along the routes concerned had been removed.”

“Recent acquisitions include LMS open No 7991, formerly on the Severn Valley Railway, several wagons and a swan-necked water column.”

CEFR level