1
a
: a covered passageway
specifically
: a horizontal passageway through or under an obstruction
b
: a subterranean gallery (as in a mine)
c
: burrow
tunneled or tunnelled; tunneling or tunnelling
ˈtən-liŋ,
ˈtə-nᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make or use a tunnel
2
physics
: to pass through a potential barrier
electrons tunneling through an insulator between semiconductors
: to make a tunnel or similar opening through or under
also
: to make (one's way) by or as if by making a tunnel
Examples of tunnel in a Sentence
Noun
The train goes through a tunnel in the mountain.
The moles dug tunnels in the yard.
Verb
Workers are tunneling through the hill.
Insects had tunneled into the tree.
Recent Examples on the Web
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
He was reunited with former Brighton team-mate Ben White in the tunnel, and after the game had the opportunity to catch up with his new manager.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The eggs hatch, and the destructive larvae begin tunneling through the foliage.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tunnel
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Noun
After Chisholm’s gaffe, Boone was seen going into the tunnel with the infielder.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
He was reunited with former Brighton team-mate Ben White in the tunnel, and after the game had the opportunity to catch up with his new manager.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
Cicadas will dig holes and tunnel through your yard, but this helps the soil since those tunnels aerate your yard, encouraging root growth for the next season.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The eggs hatch, and the destructive larvae begin tunneling through the foliage.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tunnel
Cite this Entry
“Tunnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tunnel. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tunnel
2 of 2 verb
tunneled or tunnelled; tunneling or tunnelling
ˈtən-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to make a tunnel
Medical Definition
tunnel
noun
tun·nel
ˈtən-ᵊl
: a bodily channel see carpal tunnel
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