funnel

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noun fun·nel \ ˈfə-nᵊl \

Definition of funnel

1 a :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)

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

Surprisingly, all of this worked, although the funnel-cake buns did struggle to hold everything together.

— robert philpot, star-telegram, "Big Tex Choice Awards fries up more winners," 27 Aug. 2017
A sun funnel will capture a lot more, as Practical Engineering shows.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "A 'Sun Funnel' Is a Unique Way to Share the Eclipse With Friends," 18 Aug. 2017
Over the years, some trucking companies, looking to boost revenue and widen the funnel of new drivers entering the trade, have started their own programs.

— mary pilon, chicagotribune.com, "Blue-collar student debt trap snags unwary truck driver trainees," 15 Aug. 2017
Complete with carnival rides, funnel cakes, a beer and margarita garden, live music and tons of food from local vendors.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Community Calendar," 24 July 2017
His influences are made clear in a funnel cake: a spiderweb of fried dough topped with airy dollops of foie gras mousse and preserved strawberries.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
Simeon Simeonov writes: The big change that happened in the aftermath of the 2008 crash was that the shape of the investment funnel changed rapidly.

— erin griffith, Fortune, "Term Sheet — Tuesday, July 11," 11 July 2017
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
A funnel cloud crossed a highway in Stuart, Iowa, while another tornado touched down in the city, whipping up debris.

— CBS News, "At least 26 tornadoes rip through Midwest as more severe storms loom," 29 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! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

funnel

verb

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

Food is another perennial fair favorite, with Native American tacos and salmon, barbecue, Thai food, corn on the cob, waffle cones, pizza, funnel cakes, pie, gyros, burgers, pizza, fudge, kettle corn and more for every taste.

— madeline mckenzie, The Seattle Times, "From belching contest to concerts, Evergreen State Fair has it all," 23 Aug. 2017
Mazzola became the editor of Town & Country in 1965 and, over the next several years, funneled his curiosities into the magazine.

— stephen mooallem, Harper's BAZAAR, "Free Love and Fashion," 18 Aug. 2017
Such rent-seeking funnels resources upwards, from poor to rich, and blurs any distinction between poor- and rich-country governments.

— The Economist, "Without governments, would countries have more inequality, or less?," 13 July 2017
Food, funnel cakes, beer, bid 'n' buy, flea market, rides, kiddy games, games of chance, gambling tent, live music.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: July 11-16," 10 July 2017
Georgia claims 500 companies involved in space now, and Georgia Tech also funnels engineers into aerospace every year.

— lee roop, AL.com, "Alabama gets ready for the new space race," 6 July 2017
Each group involved in the offensive has been detaining prisoners—including juveniles—and funneling them to various facilities, where their cases are supposed to be handled in the justice system.

— emily feldman, MSNBC Newsweek, "Can ISIS's Indoctrinated Kids be Saved From a Future of Violent Jihad?," 6 July 2017
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

First Known Use of funnel

1594

funnel Synonyms

Synonyms

canalize, channelize, conduct, direct, channel, pipe, siphon (also syphon)

Related Words

carry, convey, transmit; concentrate, consolidate, focus

FUNNEL Defined for English Language Learners

funnel

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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

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noun fun·nel \ ˈfə-nᵊl \

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

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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