duct

1 of 2

noun

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
ductal adjective
ductless adjective

duct

2 of 2

verb

ducted; ducting; ducts

transitive verb

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

Examples of duct in a Sentence

Noun air ducts to provide ventilation
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This helps protect the milk ducts and makes breastfeeding easier. Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 2 Nov. 2024 There’s also a contemporary spin on the NACA duct that channels air toward the engine intake and side radiators. Jason Barlow, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024
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 See all Example Sentences for duct 

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

First Known Use

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of duct was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near duct

Cite this Entry

“Duct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duct. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

duct

noun
ˈdəkt
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
ˈdək-tləs
adjective
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!