funnel
noun
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Definition of funnel
(Entry 1 of 2)
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 flow
b : something shaped like a funnel
2 : a stack or flue for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)
funnel
verbDefinition of funnel (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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
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Synonyms for funnel
Synonyms: Verb
canalize, channel, channelize, conduct, direct, pipe, siphon (also syphon)
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Examples of funnel in a Sentence
Noun
the funnel cloud of a tornadoVerb
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 on the Web: Noun
To add the sand, use a funnel to carefully pour the sand into the tubing. — Science Buddies, Scientific American, "Swiveling Science: Applying Physics to Hula-Hooping," 11 July 2013 Several readers caught this odd-looking funnel over Northern Virginia on Sunday evening. — Angela Fritz, Washington Post, "What’s up with the mystery funnel cloud over Northern Virginia on Sunday," 19 June 2018 Cash Pipelines North Korea maintains embassies in dozens of countries around the world, where analysts and officials say Pyongyang's agents are helping funnel foreign currency from illicit operations back to the country. — Ian Talley, WSJ, "U.S. Holds Off on New North Korea Sanctions as Summit Talks Progress," 28 May 2018 And terrain like mountain gaps or Turnagain Arm serve as wind-intensifying funnels. — Laurel Andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Hillside home loses roof as gusts usher in Southcentral Alaska windstorm," 24 Apr. 2018 Put chicken wire alongside it to create a funnel of sorts to channel the animals into the traps. — Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, "Nutsedge or other nuisance? How to tell the difference," 13 July 2018 Funnel cake at Mimi's Cafe Courtesy of Mimi's Cafe Mimi's Cafe The chain will offer a free funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar and topped with fresh strawberry slices, blueberries and whipped cream. — Robert Philpot, star-telegram, "DFW restaurants get patriotic with red-white-and-blue creations for July 4," 29 June 2018 Sikorsky: One time, one of our workers was at a veterinarian’s office and saw one of those dog funnels. — Popular Mechanics, "The Future of American Manufacturing," 23 May 2018 In Winsted, winds around the funnel reached 95 mph and tore up an eight-block stretch of town. — Rebecca Lurye, courant.com, "Eversource Aims To Restore Power By Sunday; 91 Miles Of Power Lines Damaged," 18 May 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Billions of dollars are funneled to owners of capital in the form of dividends and stock buybacks, while laborers go begging for even the measliest wage increases. — Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, "Employers will do almost anything to find workers to fill jobs — except pay them more," 10 July 2018 As a result, both money and talent are being funneled to just a handful of behemoth companies, based in two countries: the U.S. and China. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "China Mobile, Glencore Woes, HTC Cuts: CEO Daily for July 3, 2018," 3 July 2018 That information will then be funneled into a global database for use by scientists. — Alex Stuckey, Houston Chronicle, "NASA is building models to predict mosquito-borne illnesses and you can help them do it," 3 July 2018 Some extra food is also being funneled to retailers such as dollar stores. — Alison Arnett, BostonGlobe.com, "At Mi-Amore, volunteers put recovered food in the hands of those who need it most," 26 June 2018 Fisaha and the others had been funneled into the world of human trafficking—first to Uganda, then to South Sudan, Sudan, and Libya. — Brian Goldstone, The New Republic, "Essential reporting, interpretation, and opinion on politics and culture. Don't miss our latest.," 26 June 2018 Meals are funneled towards the squid’s razor-sharp beak, which can julienne food into bite-size pieces that are subsequently pulverized and rammed down its throat by a toothy tongue-like organ. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "Operation Calamari: How the Smithsonian Got Its Giant Squids," 21 June 2018 We’ve been kind of funneled, maybe, through corporations, the marketplace, our society. — Ed Masley, azcentral, "Calexico's Joey Burns on the making of 'The Thread That Keeps Us,' written in the aftermath of election," 24 May 2018 Proceeds from the show will be funneled through the Jacksonville State University Foundation. — Mary Colurso, AL.com, "Riley Green concert raises $50,000 for tornado relief in Jacksonville," 3 Apr. 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for funnel
funnel
noun
English Language Learners Definition of funnel
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of funnel (Entry 2 of 2)
: 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
See the full definition for funnel in the English Language Learners Dictionary
funnel
noun
\
Kids Definition of funnel
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)
funnel
noun
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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
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