bulkhead

/ˈbʌlk.hɛd/

//ˈbʌlk.hɛd// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"bulkhead" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“bulkhead” has 12 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #39,228. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#39,228
frequency rank, English
31,241
“B” headwords
12
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A vertical partition dividing the hull into separate compartments; often made watertight to prevent excessive flooding if the ship's hull is breached.

Key facts for bulkhead
PropertyValue
Headwordbulkhead
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈbʌlk.hɛd/
Letters8
Frequency rank#39,228
Misspellings tracked12
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “bulkhead” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). bulkhead lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 12 spelling variants around bulkhead (IPA /ˈbʌlk.hɛd/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #39,228 among 31,241 “B” headwords. Wiktionary lists 6 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 12 likely wrong-spelling variants for bulkhead, with forms such as "bbulkhead", "blukhead", and "buklhead". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Old Norse bálkr (“partition”) + head, anglicised as bulk + head. The correct English form is bulkhead, spelled B-U-L-K-H-E-A-D.

Definition

  1. 1
    A vertical partition dividing the hull into separate compartments; often made watertight to prevent excessive flooding if the ship's hull is breached.
  2. 2
    A similar partition in an aircraft or spacecraft, or some rail vehicles.
  3. 3
    A partition or panel through which connectors pass, or a connector designed to pass through a partition.
  4. 4
    A pressure-resistant sealed barrier to any fluid in a large structure.
  5. 5
    A retaining wall along a waterfront.
  6. 6
    A cellar hatchway.

Etymology

From Old Norse bálkr (“partition”) + head, anglicised as bulk + head.

This word in other languages

mamparo(Español)cloison(Français)Schott(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • bbulkhead
  • blukhead
  • buklhead
  • bulhkead
  • bulkehad
  • bulkhaed
  • bulkheadd
  • bulkheda
  • bulkhhead
  • bulkkhead
  • bullkhead
  • ublkhead

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of bulkhead - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

bbulkhead1blukhead2buklhead2bulhkead2bulkehad2bulkhaed2bulkheadd1bulkheda2
Edit distance from "bulkhead"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "bulkhead"?
"bulkhead" is spelled B-U-L-K-H-E-A-D. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈbʌlk.hɛd/.
What does "bulkhead" mean?
As a noun, "bulkhead" means: A vertical partition dividing the hull into separate compartments; often made watertight to prevent excessive flooding if the ship's hull is breached.
What are common misspellings of "bulkhead"?
Common misspellings include "bbulkhead", "blukhead", "buklhead", "bulhkead", "bulkehad". The correct spelling is "bulkhead".
How do you pronounce "bulkhead"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "bulkhead" is /ˈbʌlk.hɛd/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "bulkhead"?
From Old Norse bálkr (“partition”) + head, anglicised as bulk + head. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “bulkhead”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is B-U-L-K-H-E-A-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈbʌlk.hɛd/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list