conduit

noun

con·​duit ˈkän-ˌdü-ət 

-ˌdyü-

also -dwət, 

-dət

1

: a natural or artificial channel through which something (such as a fluid) is conveyed

a conduit for rainwater

2

: a pipe, tube, or tile for protecting electric wires or cables

3

: a means of transmitting or distributing

a conduit for illicit payments

a conduit of information

4

archaic : fountain

Synonyms of conduit

• pipe
• tube
• channel
• funnel

Examples of conduit in a Sentence

the major conduit for carrying water to the military base

water flowed along the conduit to the fountain

Recent Examples on the Web

The risk of Iranian attacks has deterred most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, an important conduit for global energy supplies, since the start of the conflict, sending shockwaves through the world economy. — Yasmine Ghania, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026

His conduit to doing so was Ebbets Field, perhaps the most beloved ballpark ever and the home to one of baseball’s most romanticized teams, the Brooklyn Dodgers. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 July 2026

Chris Klomp, a top Kennedy adviser and a seemingly trusted conduit between Kennedy and the White House, has also been nominated to be Kennedy’s second-in-command. — Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 30 July 2026

Strengthening Communications Through Strategic Alignment This summer, our team is developing a layered and synchronized thematic approach for every communications conduit in the second half of 2026. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conduyt, condyt, cundyte "channel or pipe for conveying water, act of escorting for protection" borrowed from Anglo-French conduit, condet "channel for water, guide, escort party," (also continental Old French), noun derivative from conduit, past participle of conduire "to guide, escort," going back to Latin condūcere "to bring together, join, hire, accept a contract for" (Medieval Latin also "to lead, escort, provide a channel for [water]") — more at conduce

Note: The senses of the vernacular word conduit parallel those of Medieval Latin conductus, conductum—see conduct entry 2. The verb conduct entry 1 and the nouns conduct entry 2 and conductor all had vernacular counterparts in Middle English and early Modern English—conduiten, conduit and conduytour—taken from Anglo-French. Of these only conduit has survived in Modern English, and with the restricted sense "channel for water."

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

conduit

noun

con·​duit ˈkän-ˌd(y)ü-ət 

also -d(w)ət

1

: a channel through which water or other fluid is carried

2

: a pipe, tube, or tile for protecting electric wires or cables