breechblock

or breech-block

[ breech-blok ]
/ ˈbritʃˌblɒk /

noun Ordnance.

a movable piece of metal for closing the breech in certain firearms.

Origin of breechblock

First recorded in 1880–85; breech + block

Words nearby breechblock

breech birth, breech delivery, breech presentation, breech-loader, breech-loading, breechblock, breechcloth, breeches, breeches buoy, breeches part, breeching

Example sentences from the Web for breechblock

British Dictionary definitions for breechblock

breechblock
/ (ˈbriːtʃˌblɒk) /

noun

a metal block in breech-loading firearms that is withdrawn to insert the cartridge and replaced to close the breech before firing