space suit

An astronaut puts on a space suit before a mission.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A protective garment worn by astronauts: "space suit" refers to a specially designed, sealed garment that allows a person to survive and work in the harsh environment of outer space. It provides life support, including oxygen, temperature regulation, and protection from radiation and micrometeoroids.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The astronaut carefully put on her space suit before the spacewalk. (The protective garment worn for extravehicular activity in space.)
  • Modern space suits are equipped with advanced communication systems. (The suits include technology for talking to mission control.)

Advanced Usage

• "space suit" as a compound noun: The term is always written as two words, but it functions as a single lexical unit referring to the specific equipment.

  • He trained for months to learn how to operate the space suit. (He practiced using the life-support and mobility systems of the suit.)

• "to suit up in a space suit": to put on the protective garment.

  • The crew members suited up in their space suits for the launch. (They dressed in the suits for the journey.)

Variants and Related Words

• Spacesuit (n): an alternative spelling, often used as a single word in informal or technical contexts.

  • The spacesuit's visor was coated to block harmful solar rays. (The single-word form is common in scientific writing.)

• Spacewalk (n): an activity performed outside a spacecraft while wearing a space suit.

  • The astronaut conducted a spacewalk to repair the satellite. (A walk in space using the suit.)

Synonyms

• EVA suit: short for "extravehicular activity suit," a technical synonym used by space agencies.
  • The EVA suit must withstand extreme temperature changes. (A synonym for space suit in professional contexts.)
• Pressure suit: a general term for a suit that maintains pressure around the body, but not specifically designed for space.

Related Idioms

• "Suit up": to put on a space suit (or any protective suit) in preparation for a mission.

  • The astronauts suited up and boarded the spacecraft. (They donned their space suits before entering the vehicle.)

• "Out of this world": an idiom meaning extremely impressive or extraordinary, often used metaphorically in connection with space suits.

  • The design of the new space suit is out of this world. (It is exceptionally advanced or impressive.)