funnel

play

noun fun·nel \ˈfə-n^əl\

Definition of funnel

1a : a utensil that is usually a hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct a downward flowb : something shaped like a funnel
2 : a stack or flue for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)

See funnel defined for English-language learners

See funnel defined for kids

Examples of funnel in a Sentence

the funnel cloud of a tornado

Recent Examples of funnel from the Web

Changes being considered this season include altering language so that miners don't have to place absorbent pads under their dredges or use funnels during refueling.

— the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "Lottery results: Winning numbers drawn for Mega Millions, Lucky Lines and Pick 4", 4 July 2017
But what about the Nimba otter shrew, the Cuban greater funnel-eared bat or other threatened yet obscure species?

— Smithsonian, "When it Comes to Conservation, Are Ugly Animals a Lost Cause?", 28 June 2017
Little hands dipped into the water using cups and spoons to scoop it up and dump into funnels and water wheels.

— alice fabbre, Naperville Sun, "Children's museum makes a splash with 30th anniversary party", 24 June 2017
At 12:30 p.m., there was a funnel cloud spotted in Fairfield and Ensley.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Widespread storm damage in Fairfield; at least 4 injured", 22 June 2017
In addition to the musical acts, food and drinks also will be abundant in the form of funnel cakes, elephant ears, corn dogs, steak dinners, a pancake and sausage breakfast, beer garden, and more.

— bob kostanczuk, Post-Tribune, "Cedar Lake Summerfest keeps the party going June 30-July 4", 21 June 2017
Two funnel clouds were spotted in the Sacramento area Sunday afternoon, part of a summer storm that brought rain, hail, thunder and lightning to the region.

— molly sullivan, sacbee, "Summer storm brings funnel clouds, hail and lightning to Sacramento area", 11 June 2017
Turkey legs, hotdogs, Italian ices, and funnel cakes were all-around best-sellers.

— by anne marie hunter, kansascity, "Old Shawnee Days let the good times roll", 9 June 2017
But the funnel sock was stuffed with 15 pounds of elvers.

— douglas struck, The Christian Science Monitor, "Maine's most mysterious catch", 7 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'funnel'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of funnel

Middle English fonel, from Anglo-French fonyle, from Old Occitan fonilh, from Medieval Latin fundibulum, short for Latin infundibulum, from infundere to pour in, from in- + fundere to pour — more at found

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

funnel

verb fun·nel

Definition of funnel

funneled

also

funnelled

;

funneling

also

funnelling

intransitive verb
1 : to have or take the shape of a funnel
2 : to pass through or as if through a funnel or conduit the crowd funnels through the doors
transitive verb
1 : to form in the shape of a funnel funneled his hands and shouted through them
2 : to move to a focal point or into a conduit or central channel contributions were funneled into one account

See funnel defined for English-language learners

Examples of funnel in a Sentence

Winds funneled through the canyon.
Smoke funneled up the chimney.
The crowd funneled through the doors.
He funneled the gas into the tank.
They funneled money into the campaign.
The information was being secretly funneled to the head of the organization.

Recent Examples of funnel from the Web

All the tours generate income that gets funneled every year into a long list of charities.

— alex heigl, PEOPLE.com, "Long Time: Tom Scholz, The Pop Rock Genius Behind Boston, Talks New Tour with Joan Jett", 30 June 2017
In more recent years, Hong Kong has also been a place for China’s increasingly large wealthy class to funnel its money out of the mainland, partly to hedge against political risk.

— don lee, latimes.com, "Hong Kong was supposed to be a world financial capital in a communist system. Contradiction?", 30 June 2017
Federal prosecutors say Anderson and Duckett conspired to funnel money from the Dillon project to themselves and their companies, cheating their subcontractors and the city.

— matthew kauffman, courant.com, "Witness In Trial Of Ex-Dillon Stadium Developer Describes Doubts Over Project's Viability", 26 June 2017
CHP officers funneled motorists past the wreckage in a single lane.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Multi-vehicle crash brought south I-805 to halt at Imperial Avenue", 16 June 2017
Concrete and debris on the lanes of I-30 under the overpass led police to funnel all eastbound traffic onto a frontage road.

— judy wiley, star-telegram, "I-30 lanes, Cherry Lane bridge expected to be closed late after crash", 15 June 2017
Universities funneled money into new women’s-studies courses; San Diego State University launched the first department of women’s studies in 1970.

— elizabeth weingarten, The Atlantic, "Is This the End of the Crusade for Gender-Equal Curricula?", 15 June 2017
Those countries accused Qataris of funneling money to Islamist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, and of keeping inappropriately close ties with Iran.

— jen kirby, Daily Intelligencer, "What the Hell Is Happening With Qatar?", 11 June 2017
But Saudi Arabia’s money will get funneled through a close Trump adviser in a grab for state and local infrastructure, with the expectation of billions of dollars in profits off the roads, bridges, and transit systems the public uses every day.

— david dayen, The Intercept, "Trump’s “America First“ Infrastructure Plan: Let Saudi Arabia and Blackstone Take Care of It", 27 May 2017

First Known Use of funnel

1594

FUNNEL Defined for English Language Learners

funnel

play

noun

Definition of funnel for English Language Learners

: a device shaped like a hollow cone with a tube extending from the point
: something that is shaped like a funnel
: a large pipe on a ship through which smoke or steam comes out

funnel

verb

Definition of funnel for English Language Learners

: to pass through a funnel or a narrow opening
: to send (something, such as money) to someone or something in usually an indirect or secret way

FUNNEL Defined for Kids

funnel

play

noun fun·nel \ˈfə-n^əl\

Definition of funnel for Students

1 : a utensil usually shaped like a hollow cone with a tube extending from the point and used to catch and direct a downward flow
2 : a large pipe for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)

Medical Dictionary

funnel

play

noun fun·nel \ˈfən-^əl\

Medical Definition of funnel

: a utensil that is usually a hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct a downward flow—see büchner funnel