stopcock

Everyday

A stopcock is a tap or valve on a water pipe that you turn to stop or start the flow of water into a house or to part of the plumbing. tree →

In the lessons

In home safety lessons, children learn where the stopcock is: if a pipe bursts or a tap will not turn off, an adult turns the stopcock to stop the water and prevent a flood. In the UK and Ireland it is often under the kitchen sink. In science it shows how a valve controls the flow of a liquid. Phrases: «turn off the stopcock», «the main stopcock». In the USA people more often say «shut-off valve».

Examples

• Dad turned off the stopcock when the pipe burst. tree →
• The stopcock is under the kitchen sink. tree →
• Do you know where your stopcock is? tree →
• The plumber turned the stopcock before fixing the tap. tree →
• Turn the stopcock clockwise to close it. tree →
• Water poured out until Mum found the stopcock. tree →
• Ask an adult to show you the stopcock in your home. tree →

Note

Plural: stopcocks. Mostly British/Irish/Australian English; American: «main water shut-off valve». Usually «turn clockwise to close». It is not a «tap» you drink from.