Stöpsel

Stöpsel is a German noun meaning stopper or plug used to seal an opening. It designates a wide range of objects, from small rubber or plastic stoppers for bottles and drains to corks in wine bottles and caps that seal containers. In everyday language, compound forms such as Ohrstöpsel (earplug) are common.

Stöpsel can be made from cork, rubber, silicone, plastic, or metal, depending on the application. Bottle stoppers are often cork or plastic, while drain and bath stoppers are typically rubber or silicone. In laboratories, glassware is sealed with ground glass or rubber stoppers; in HVAC or plumbing, stoppers can be metal or composite.

The primary function is to prevent the passage of liquids, gases, or foreign objects, or to allow temporary access by removing the stopper. Stöpsel can also be used metaphorically to describe an obstacle or blockage.

See also: Korken, Deckel, Verschluss, Ohrstöpsel. In English, the counterpart terms are plug, stopper, cork, earplug.