pipette

noun pi·pette \ pī-ˈpet \

variants: or less commonly pipet

Definition of pipette

: a small piece of apparatus which typically consists of a narrow tube into which fluid is drawn by suction (as for dispensing or measurement) and retained by closing the upper end

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pipette

or less commonly pipet verb

See pipette defined for English-language learners

See pipette defined for kids

Recent Examples of pipette from the Web

But what about all the other tiny details of an experiment that might be subject to the same exactitude—the time of day, the indoor temperature, the size of the pipettes, and so on?

— daniel engber, Slate Magazine, "Science Is Broken. How Much Should We Fix It?," 5 May 2017
Su, with a doctorate in entomology and 45 years of termite research experience, can mouth-pipette 200-300 termites in a single minute that will be used to study the bugs’ division of labor.

— andrea januta and jennifer lu, miamiherald, "From cruise ship brewmaster to hurricane hunter, these are some of our unusual jobs," 3 Sep. 2017
But Robert Goodman, founder of the program Mr. Zavorotniy works with, seeks to re-engineer that pipette-thin pipeline with a batch of curriculums called the Progressive Science Initiative (PSI).

— charlie wood, The Christian Science Monitor, "Looking for leaders in physics education? Try New Jersey.," 12 July 2017
The technician, upon completing the procedure, discovered that there was still genetic material on the tip of the pipette, Mr. Geurts said.

— nina siegal, New York Times, "Dutch Fertility Clinic Investigates Possible Sperm Mix-Up," 28 Dec. 2016
The kit also includes food-grade plastic tubing, pipettes and syringe, and metal measuring spoons and a strainer.

— kathy ceceri, WIRED, "Molecular Cuisine Kit from ThinkGeek: 100% Artificial Ingredients," 26 June 2012
Teenagers wearing safety goggles squat down, sucking up samples of the clear liquid with pipettes.

— stacy teicher khadaroo, The Christian Science Monitor, "Test Drive: New Hampshire teachers build new ways to measure deeper learning," 27 June 2017
To capture the precious liquid, the park rangers use a pipette, directly sucking the venom from the aggressive spider’s fangs (a process visitors are invited to watch).

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Australian Zoo Calls for Public Help Collecting One of the World’s Deadliest Spiders," 25 Jan. 2017
The history-making blend comes in an intricately etched Saint-Louis carafe alongside four glasses and a white gold Puiforcat pipette, inside an Hermès leather trunk.

— sarah bray, Town & Country, "I Went To France to Taste Century-Old Cognac," 30 Aug. 2016

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

Origin and Etymology of pipette

French pipette, diminutive of pipe pipe, cask, from Vulgar Latin *pipa, *pippa pipe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1839

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

PIPETTE Defined for English Language Learners

pipette

noun

Definition of pipette for English Language Learners

: a narrow glass tube used for measuring liquid or for moving small amounts of liquid from one place to another

Medical Dictionary

pipette

noun pi·pette

variants: also pipet play \pī-ˈpet\

medical Definition of pipette

: a small piece of apparatus which typically consists of a narrow tube into which fluid is drawn by suction (as for dispensing or measurement) and retained by closing the upper end

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