stuffing box

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

stuff′ing box′, [Mach.]

1. Mechanical Engineering a device for preventing leakage of gases or liquids along a moving rod or shaft at the point at which it leaves a cylinder, tank, ship hull, etc.

Also called gland. 

• 1790–1800

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

stuffing box noun

1. a small chamber in which an annular packing is compressed around a reciprocating or rotating rod or shaft to form a seal