Etymology

Noun

1. A room, especially one used primarily for sleeping; bedroom, sleeping room.
   • 1845, Edgar Allen Poe, The Raven,

     Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

     Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

     While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

     As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

2. An enclosed space. For example, a test chamber is typically a closable case where devices under test are placed.
3. In a firearm, this is the portion of the weapon that holds the ammunition round immediately prior to (and during initiation of) its discharge.

   Dianne loaded a cartridge into the chamber of the rifle, then prepared to take aim at the target.

4. One of the legislative bodies in a government where multiple such bodies exist, or a single such body in comparison to others.

   The resolution, which speedily passed the Senate, was unable to gain a majority in the lower chamber.

Related terms

• bubble chamber
• chamberlain
• chambermaid
• chamber music
• chamber of commerce
• chamber pot
• cloud chamber
• in chambers
• Wilson chamber

Verb

1. To enclose in a room.

   She had chambered herself in her room, and wouldn't come out.

2. To place in a chamber, as a round of ammunition.

   The hunter fired at the geese and missed, then shrugged his shoulders and chambered another cartridge.

3. To create or modify a gun to be a specific caliber.

   The rifle was originally chambered for 9MM, but had since been modified for a larger, wildcat caliber.