funnel

noun

fun·nel | \ ˈfə-nᵊl

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

verb

funneled also funnelled; funneling also funnelling

Definition of funnel (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about funnel

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Examples of funnel in a Sentence

Noun

the funnel cloud of a tornado

Verb

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

Additional funnels were reported as the storm moved east of Des Moines past Altoona, Prairie City and Colfax. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "Injuries reported after tornado slams Iowa factory," 19 July 2018 The SheWee funnel and extender tube, like the Freshette’s, can be disassembled and stored. — Anna Callaghan, Outside Online, "Our Favorite Pee Funnels," 6 June 2018 More successful was a s’mores variant that looked like French fries and gravy — addictive fried strips of funnel cake bathed in a deep chocolate sauce, backed up by thick slabs of marshmallow. — Tim Smith, baltimoresun.com, "A dessert disguised as a potted plant, and more surprises at Blair's on Hudson," 30 May 2018 At the time, Soviet prison guards restrained hunger strikers in a chair and used a funnel and tube to administer a mix of meat bouillon, boiled grains and raw egg, Mr. Grigoryants said. — Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, "Hunger Strike Creates Unwanted Backdrop for Russia During World Cup," 16 June 2018 At the center is a steely rendering of a funnel with bees spilling over the edge. — Victoria Dalkey, sacbee, "Jack Alvarez explores his cultural roots in poetic images," 22 June 2018 In a common design, one end of a jar-like glass vessel was shaped like a funnel leading inside to a main chamber. — C.j. Chivers, Popular Mechanics, "Meet the Man Glassblowing These Gorgeous Retro Fishing Lures," 26 Apr. 2016 First, hollow out tall white pumpkin from top (make hole smaller than opening of funnel). Carve eyes and mouth. — Woman's Day Staff, Woman's Day, "50+ Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Halloween," 25 July 2018 For this mashup, Urick cooks dip Wick’s pie slices in funnel cake batter, deep-fry them and then cover them with powdered sugar and chocolate sauce. — Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star, "Insane new Indiana State Fair foods that will complete your summer," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

So although Altria is funneling $12.8 billion into the company, less than $8.8 billion is actually finding its way to Juul’s balance sheet after the investors and employees are paid off. — Theodore Schleifer, Recode, "In an extraordinary move, Juul is trying to make peace with its investors and employees by paying them more than $4 billion," 21 Dec. 2018 Step 2: Warm up your engine Halfway through, funnel a three-ounce sample into your bottle. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "For Motor Oil, How Old Is Too Old?," 6 Dec. 2018 Shutterstock Two years ago, voters across the country approved dozens of major transportation measures funneling billions of dollars into transit infrastructure projects. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "Transit on the ballot: How cities voted to fund transportation," 7 Nov. 2018 As for the purported Caravaggio, Duff & Phelps said $128 million, part of it Freestone’s money, had been funneled into entities that owned rights to the painting. — Mark Maremont, WSJ, "SEC Charges Former Insurance Wunderkind With Fraud," 17 Oct. 2018 Cut and curl collar around vessel; place funnel on top for hat. — Woman's Day Staff, Woman's Day, "50+ Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Halloween," 25 July 2018 The cylindrical structure flows into a duller, funnel-like cone, which tapers into a tower with rocket nozzles. — Sarah Scoles, WIRED, "Inside the Test Chamber for NASA's Astronaut Vehicle Double," 12 July 2018 As part of the cease-fire agreement, revenue from the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa will be funneled to the Central Bank, which the government moved from the capital, San’a, to the southern city of Aden in 2016. — Dion Nissenbaum, WSJ, "Yemen Foes Agree on Cease-Fire Amid U.S. Pressure," 13 Dec. 2018 If barley becomes too scarce, more of it will be funneled to livestock, since beer is technically a luxury good. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Barley shortages from climate change could mean less beer worldwide," 15 Oct. 2018

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.

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Last Updated

8 Feb 2019

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Time Traveler for funnel

The first known use of funnel was in the 15th century

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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

verb

English 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

fun·nel | \ ˈfə-nᵊl

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

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