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

For Kurdi, leaving critical decisions up to the musician—and thereby breaking with the tradition that treats performers as mere conduits of a composer’s vision—is both an artistic choice and a political one. —Olivia Giovetti, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

For instance, an underground tunnel that would have permitted utility companies to drive in and check on their equipment has been reduced to a large conduit just big enough for wires and cables to be easily pulled through. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Drawing on the ancient tradition of praying to venerable trees — seen as conduits between heaven and earth — the installation reframes the practice as a symbolic bridge between Eastern spirituality and Western luxury. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026

For a film that treats the human voice itself as a conduit for divinity, Ann Lee rarely leaves those voices unadorned. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 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