water column
noun1
Geography, Hydrology, Natural sciences 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.
Environmental sciences
2
The zone in which ascent and descent occur.
Deep-sea diving
3
Rail transport, Railways, Transport A column alongside a railway track used to replenish a steam engine's water supply.
- At Carlisle, as is customary, there was a very slow stop for the engine to draw to the water column.1943 January and February, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in The Railway Magazine, page 16:
- 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.1961 March, “Talking of trains”, in Trains Illustrated, page 130:
1 more example
- Recent acquisitions include LMS open No 7991, formerly on the Severn Valley Railway, several wagons and a swan-necked water column.1979 August, “Preservation Scene: Midland Railway Trust”, in Railway World, page 429:
4
The column of water inside the graduated cylinder of a pressure gauge that measures pressure in inches of water.