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

Rhymes with PIPE

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

²pipe

verb

pipedpip·ing

Definition of PIPE

intransitive verb

1

a : to play on a pipe

b : to convey orders by signals on a boatswain's pipe

2

a : to speak in a high or shrill voice

b : to emit a shrill sound

transitive verb

1

a : to play (a tune) on a pipe

b : to utter in the shrill tone of a pipe

2

a : to lead or cause to go with pipe music

b (1) : to call or direct by the boatswain's pipe (2) : to receive aboard or attend the departure of by sounding a boatswain's pipe

3

: to trim with piping

4

: to furnish or equip with pipes

5

: to convey by or as if by pipes; especially : to transmit by wire or coaxial cable

6

: notice

Examples of PIPE

1. The pipers piped while the drummers drummed.
2. The musician piped a tune.

First Known Use of PIPE

before 12th century

Related to PIPE

Synonyms

canalize, channelize, conduct, direct, funnel, channel, siphon (also syphon)

Related Words

carry, convey, transmit; concentrate, consolidate, focus