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 of pipeline

• 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

Young also noted that Iran’s Gulf neighbors will invest in pipelines to avoid oil flows through the strait, which allowed for the transit of 20 million barrels a day before the war began. —Deva Lee, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

At the same time, more than 17 million electric vehicles were sold globally in 2024, creating a rapidly expanding pipeline of battery packs that will eventually be retired from transportation use. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Last year, South Bend, Valparaiso and Lake County’s Ivy Tech branches partnered with Amazon Web Services to create a similar pipeline from classroom to data center careers. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026

Turner came to SpaceX through the military and higher education pipeline before ascending through several senior manufacturing leadership roles at the company, his LinkedIn shows. —Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 June 2026

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

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline

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