Main Entry:

tube

Pronunciation:

\ˈtüb, ˈtyüb\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from Latin tubus; akin to Latin tuba trumpet

Date:

1651

1: any of various usu. 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 sepals3: inner tube4 a: electron tube ; especially : vacuum tube b: cathode-ray tube ; especially : a television picture tube c: television5: 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