1
: a bodily tube or vessel especially when carrying the secretion of a gland
2
a
: a pipe, tube, or channel that conveys a substance
b
: a pipe or tubular runway for carrying an electric power line, telephone cables, or other conductors
3
: a tube or elongated cavity (such as a xylem vessel) in plant tissue
4
: a layer (as in the atmosphere or the ocean) which occurs under usually abnormal conditions and in which radio or sound waves are confined to a restricted path
ducted; ducting; ducts
1
: to enclose in a duct
2
: to convey (something, such as a gas) through a duct
also
: to propagate (something, such as radio waves) through a duct
Synonyms
Examples of duct in a Sentence
Noun
air ducts to provide ventilation
Recent Examples on the Web
Umar Shakir, The Verge, 26 Sep. 2023
Aids with lymphatic drainage: The lymphatic system consists of a network of nodes, ducts, and vessels that are responsible for draining extracellular fluid (lymph) into the blood stream.
—Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 19 July 2023
Gallstones can cause swelling and block the duct into the intestine, causing stomachaches.25 Typically, pain strikes the right side of the upper abdomen, particularly after eating high-fat foods.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 29 Oct. 2023
Descending from the attic in the Chandler condo, Allen announced that while the duct work was a mess, the real problem was outside, where an old compressor had given out in the heat.
—Jack Herrera, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023
Authorities said the fire was isolated to the duct work though some smoke spread to other parts of the hotel.
—Isabella Volmert, Dallas News, 13 July 2023
Ductal carcinoma in situ, a condition sometimes called non-invasive or stage-zero breast cancer, is a very early finding of disease in the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast.
—Carolyn Barber, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2023
These formulas have tiny aluminum molecules that plug up sweat gland ducts and prevent the propulsion of sweat, says Dr. Reich.
—Alexis Benveniste, Allure, 26 Sep. 2023
When your hands and feet come into contact with water for more than a few minutes, the sweat ducts in your skin open, allowing water to flow into the skin tissue.
—Guy German, Binghamton University, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023
Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2023
The board approved the purchase of items needed for educating during the coronavirus, including $200,000 for HVAC ultraviolet disinfectant emitters for A /C units and duct microbial control and $150,000 for COVID-19 testing that provides results in about 24-36 hours.
—Savannah Mehrtens, Houston Chronicle, 12 Aug. 2020
Fire crews accessed the roof and found a fire in the hood and duct system coming from the kitchen.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2022
Cellphone videos taken by other passengers show onboard fights, flight attendants being assaulted, other passengers being punched, offenders often duct taped to their seats and law enforcement escorting passengers off planes.
—Peter Greenberg, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2022
Participants were able to receive roof repairs, duct cleanings, mold remediation and other large repairs.
—jsonline.com, 1 Sep. 2022
The NASCAR Research and Development team designed, and printed using a Stratasys Fortus 450mc 3D printer, an underside NACA duct for engine cooling for the cars.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 1 June 2022
Her 53-year-old son, Bart, had been left bound and duct taped to his wheelchair with garbage over his face.
—Harriet Sokmensuer, PEOPLE.com, 13 Dec. 2021
Jaron Johnson also duct taped her hands behind her, according to the affidavit.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, chicagotribune.com, 23 Nov. 2021
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Noun
Source: Eufy, GIF by Umar Shakir / The Verge
The Pro also includes a larger air duct and an oversized air filter compared to the X8 Hybrid, and can handle more debris pickup.
—Umar Shakir, The Verge, 26 Sep. 2023
Aids with lymphatic drainage: The lymphatic system consists of a network of nodes, ducts, and vessels that are responsible for draining extracellular fluid (lymph) into the blood stream.
—Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 19 July 2023
Gallstones can cause swelling and block the duct into the intestine, causing stomachaches.25 Typically, pain strikes the right side of the upper abdomen, particularly after eating high-fat foods.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 29 Oct. 2023
Descending from the attic in the Chandler condo, Allen announced that while the duct work was a mess, the real problem was outside, where an old compressor had given out in the heat.
—Jack Herrera, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023
Authorities said the fire was isolated to the duct work though some smoke spread to other parts of the hotel.
—Isabella Volmert, Dallas News, 13 July 2023
Ductal carcinoma in situ, a condition sometimes called non-invasive or stage-zero breast cancer, is a very early finding of disease in the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast.
—Carolyn Barber, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2023
These formulas have tiny aluminum molecules that plug up sweat gland ducts and prevent the propulsion of sweat, says Dr. Reich.
—Alexis Benveniste, Allure, 26 Sep. 2023
When your hands and feet come into contact with water for more than a few minutes, the sweat ducts in your skin open, allowing water to flow into the skin tissue.
—Guy German, Binghamton University, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023
Verb
Duct size and compatibility: Matching the exhaust fan's duct size and type with your existing ductwork or ventilation system can reduce the need for additional ductwork modifications or adapters.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2023
The board approved the purchase of items needed for educating during the coronavirus, including $200,000 for HVAC ultraviolet disinfectant emitters for A /C units and duct microbial control and $150,000 for COVID-19 testing that provides results in about 24-36 hours.
—Savannah Mehrtens, Houston Chronicle, 12 Aug. 2020
Fire crews accessed the roof and found a fire in the hood and duct system coming from the kitchen.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2022
Cellphone videos taken by other passengers show onboard fights, flight attendants being assaulted, other passengers being punched, offenders often duct taped to their seats and law enforcement escorting passengers off planes.
—Peter Greenberg, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2022
Participants were able to receive roof repairs, duct cleanings, mold remediation and other large repairs.
—jsonline.com, 1 Sep. 2022
The NASCAR Research and Development team designed, and printed using a Stratasys Fortus 450mc 3D printer, an underside NACA duct for engine cooling for the cars.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 1 June 2022
Her 53-year-old son, Bart, had been left bound and duct taped to his wheelchair with garbage over his face.
—Harriet Sokmensuer, PEOPLE.com, 13 Dec. 2021
Jaron Johnson also duct taped her hands behind her, according to the affidavit.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, chicagotribune.com, 23 Nov. 2021
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'duct.' 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
Noun
New Latin ductus, from Medieval Latin, aqueduct, from Latin, act of leading, from ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1
Phrases Containing duct
Dictionary Entries Near duct
Cite this Entry
“Duct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duct. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
duct
nounˈdəkt
1
: a tube or vessel carrying a bodily fluid (as the secretion of a gland)
2
: a pipe, tube, or channel through which a fluid (as air or water) flows
ductless
adjective
ˈdək-tləs
Etymology
Noun
from scientific Latin ductus "tube or vessel from a gland," from Latin ductus "aqueduct," from earlier ductus "act of leading" — related to aqueduct, dock entry 3
Medical Definition
duct
noun
: a bodily tube or vessel especially when carrying the secretion of a gland
More from Merriam-Webster on duct
Nglish: Translation of duct for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of duct for Arabic Speakers
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