pipe

¹pipe

noun \ˈpīp\

Definition of PIPE

1

a : a tubular wind instrument; specifically : a small fipple flute held in and played by the left hand b : one of the tubes of a pipe organ: (1) : flue pipe (2) : reed pipe c : bagpipe —usually used in plural d (1) : voice, vocal cord —usually used in plural (2) : piping 1

2

a : a long tube or hollow body for conducting a liquid, gas, or finely divided solid or for structural purposes b : a means of transmission (as of television signals or computer data) <a broadband fiber-optic pipe>

3

a : a tubular or cylindrical object, part, or passage b : a roughly cylindrical and vertical geological formation c : the eruptive channel opening into the crater of a volcano

4

a : a large cask of varying capacity used especially for wine and oil b : any of various units of liquid capacity based on the size of a pipe; especially : a unit equal to two hogsheads

5

: a device for smoking usually consisting of a tube having a bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at the other

6

: snap 2c, cinch

— pipe·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

— pipe·less \ˈpīp-ləs\ adjective

— pipe·like \ˈpīp-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of PIPE

1. He has the pipes to sing on Broadway.
2. a singer with a fine set of pipes

Origin of PIPE

Middle English, from Old English pīpa (akin to Old High German pfīfa pipe), from Vulgar Latin *pipa pipe, from Latin pipare to peep, of imitative origin

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to PIPE

Synonyms: channel, conduit, duct, leader, line, penstock, trough, tube

Related Words: drain, drainpipe, funnel, hydrant, main, smokestack, spout, standpipe, stovepipe, tile, waste pipe, waterspout; pipage (or pipeage), pipeline, piping

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Rhymes with PIPE

Cuyp, gripe, hype, ripe, snipe, stipe, stripe, swipe, tripe, type, wipe