conduit

noun

con·​duit ˈkän-ˌdü-ət How to pronounce conduit (audio)
-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

Example Sentences

the major conduit for carrying water to the military base water flowed along the conduit to the fountain
Recent Examples on the Web The public charging stations could be a conduit for bad actors to introduce malware onto personal devices, officials warn. Luke Barr, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2023 Castro believes his role is to act as a conduit between the city and its immigrant communities, which are often wary of the government. Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2023 As an art form in which human beings are incarnated, drama is a natural conduit for metaphysics and ontology. Charles Mcnulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2023 When the conduit deal was first due to be considered Feb. 15, two members took the unusual step of sitting out the meeting. Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2023 The project will also involve earthwork/grading, pouring concrete, adding conduit for future lighting, and plans for additional stormwater drainage. cleveland, 31 Jan. 2023 But Torres has embraced the promise of crypto and blockchains, hailing them as a conduit for financial inclusion and a tool for dispersing the concentrated power of money. Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2023 Social-media platforms are largely a conduit for others’ unaltered speech, while Ms. Smith creates her own independent expression. Christopher Mills, WSJ, 4 Dec. 2022 Enlarge / Spools of fiber conduits for broadband network construction. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 2 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conduit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of conduit was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near conduit

Cite this Entry

“Conduit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conduit. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

conduit

noun
con·​duit ˈkän-ˌd(y)ü-ət How to pronounce conduit (audio)
 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

More from Merriam-Webster on conduit

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