flue

noun

: an enclosed passageway for directing a current: such as
a
: a channel in a chimney for conveying flame and smoke to the outer air
b
: a pipe for conveying flame and hot gases around or through water in a steam boiler
c
: an air channel leading to the lip of a wind instrument
d

Examples of flue in a Sentence

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.
Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 11 June 2024 Catch up quick: Capturing the carbon from the flues of plants, like gas, coal and ethanol, and storing it underground (called CCS) has long been technically but not economically feasible, and in development. Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 6 Sep. 2024 The dog owner told GMA her apartment's leak was caused by a bird's nest sitting in the flue of her building's gas water heater. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 12 July 2024 The base layer of insulating straw was topped by turves — soil formed of dead but not fully decayed plants — and finished with clay, which near the apex of the roof may have formed a chimney or flue. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flue 

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flue was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near flue

Cite this Entry

“Flue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flue. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

flue

noun
: an enclosed passageway for directing a current
especially : a channel in a chimney for carrying flame and smoke to the outer air
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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