water hammer

== English == === Alternative forms === (surge of pressure): waterhammer === Noun === water hammer (countable and uncountable, plural water hammers) (chiefly uncountable) A surge of pressure in a pipe carrying a fluid; especially the banging sound in a steam or hot water pipe caused by bubbles of air, or by an abrupt alteration of the flow. (countable, historical) A metal hammer used when heated, as by dipping in hot water, to blister the skin, as for counterirritation. ==== See also ==== fluid hammer