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 vital waterway is the main conduit for about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas, and its weekslong closure has thrown global oil markets into chaos. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026

Art biennials such as Dak’Art emerged in Africa within this climate of possibility, establishing themselves as vital conduits between the continent and international contemporary art discourse. —Smooth Nzewi, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026

Suzuki said bench coach John Gibbons, who is the conduit between the manager and Angels staffers looking at the replay, said the timing of the challenge decision was close. —Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a conduit for roughly a quarter of the world's seaborne oil and over 40 percent of China's—has slowed to a trickle. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 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