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

Whoopi Goldberg, whisperer to unknown paranormal entities and living conduit between our world and the ghostly realm, has once again confirmed to America that aliens are among us. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026

While some believe that Trump is merely the conduit for devious legal advisors, his legal advisors say otherwise, giving Trump the credit for pushing them to try unorthodox angles. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 9 June 2026

The Del Mar City Council approved a resolution June 2 setting a June 3 deadline for properties in Work Zone 1 of undergrounding District x1A, which includes San Dieguito Drive and Orbita Road, for property owners to install lateral conduits. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026

The Persian Gulf is not merely a conduit for hydrocarbons. —John W.h. Denton Ao, Fortune, 6 June 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