plunger

Everyday

1. A plunger is a tool with a rubber cup on a stick, used to clear a blocked sink or toilet by pushing and pulling. tree →
2. A plunger is a part that slides in and out of a tube, like in a syringe, a cafetière (French press) or a pump. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: unblocking a toilet with a plunger. In science: the plunger of a syringe pushes liquid or air; experiments with air pressure. In cooking: a cafetière plunger pushes the coffee down.

Examples

• Dad used a plunger to unblock the sink. tree →
• Push the plunger slowly to squeeze out the water. tree →
• The nurse pressed the syringe plunger. tree →
• Press the plunger on the cafetière to make the coffee. tree →
• The plunger made a loud sucking sound. tree →
• Pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with air. tree →

Note

Countable. From «plunge» (push or dive in). It works by changing air or water pressure.