Main Entry: tube

Pronunciation: \ˈtüb, ˈtyüb\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from Latin tubus; akin to Latin tuba trumpet

Date: 1651

1 : any of various usually cylindrical structures or devices: as a : a hollow elongated cylinder; especially : one to convey fluids b : a soft tubular container whose contents (as toothpaste) can be removed by squeezing c (1) : tunnel (2) British : subway b d : the basically cylindrical section between the mouthpiece and bell that is the fundamental part of a wind instrument
2 a : a slender channel (as a fallopian tube or a pollen tube) within a plant or animal body : duct b : the narrow basal portion of a corolla with united petals or a calyx with united sepals
3 : inner tube
4 a : electron tube; especially : vacuum tube b : cathode-ray tube; especially : a television picture tube c : television
5 : an article of clothing shaped like a tube <a tube top> <tube socks>

— tubed \ˈtübd, ˈtyübd\ adjective

— tube·like \ˈtüb-ˌlīk, ˈtyüb-\ adjective

— down the tube or down the tubes : into a state of collapse or deterioration