pipeline

noun

pipe·​line ˈpīp-ˌlīn 

1

a

: a line of pipe with pumps, valves, and control devices for conveying liquids, gases, or finely divided solids

b

: pipe sense 2b

2

: a direct channel for information

3

: a process or channel of supply

an arms pipeline

4

: a state of development, preparation, or production

several projects in the pipeline

also : the system for such processes

a strong product pipeline

5

: a course of individual advancement or development especially to fill organizational needs

Synonyms

• route
• conduit
• source
• outlet
• channel

Examples of pipeline in a Sentence

an equipment hauler serves as the columnist's pipeline for gossip about the rock band

the battle was ultimately lost because the enemy had destroyed our pipeline for resupply

Recent Examples on the Web

Williams Companies The natural gas and oil pipeline company is firing on all cylinders, according to Wells Fargo. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025

Orchestration: Layers must accommodate schema evolution, rollback and modular pipelines. —Abhik Sengupta, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Funding cuts would throw this pipeline into disarray and cause an exodus of experienced workers, Hendrix says. —Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025

Ukraine shut off the last pipeline carrying Russian gas to Europe via its territory, marking the end of a decades-long arrangement. —Carlie Procell, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pipeline

• come down the pipeline
• in the pipeline
• the pipeline

Rhymes for pipeline

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

Kids Definition

pipeline

noun

pipe·​line ˈpī-ˌplīn 

1

: a line of pipe with pumps, valves, and control devices for carrying liquids, gases, or finely divided solids

2

: a direct channel for information or supplies