Definition of siphon
1a : a tube bent to form two legs of unequal length by which a liquid can be transferred to a lower level over an intermediate elevation by the pressure of the atmosphere in forcing the liquid up the shorter branch of the tube immersed in it while the excess of weight of the liquid in the longer branch when once filled causes a continuous flowb usually syphon : a bottle for holding aerated water that is driven out through a bent tube in its neck by the pressure of the gas when a valve in the tube is opened
2 : any of various tubular organs in animals and especially mollusks or arthropods that are used for drawing in or ejecting fluids
From the M-W Editors
Illustration of siphon
Origin and Etymology of siphon
French siphon, from Latin siphon-, sipho tube, pipe, siphon, from Greek siphōn
First Known Use: 1659
Examples of siphon in a Sentence
The water needs to be siphoned from the pool.
She illegally siphoned money out of other people's bank accounts.
Funds were siphoned from the schools to build a new stadium.
The large chain stores are siphoning profits from the small local stores.
1859
First Known Use of siphon
1859
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
SIPHON Defined for English Language Learners
siphon
playDefinition of siphon for English Language Learners
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: a bent tube used to move a liquid from one container into another container by means of air pressure
siphon
Definition of siphon for English Language Learners
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: to move (a liquid) from one container to another by using a siphon
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: to take and use (something, such as money) for your own purpose
SIPHON Defined for Kids
siphon
Definition of siphon for Students
1 : a bent pipe or tube through which a liquid can be drawn by air pressure up and over the edge of a container
2 : a tubelike part especially of a mollusk (as a clam) usually used to draw in or squirt out water
siphon
Definition of siphon for Students
siphoned
;siphoning
: to draw off by or as if by a siphon
Learn More about siphon
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See words that rhyme with siphon Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for siphon Spanish Central: Translation of siphon Nglish: Translation of siphon for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about siphon
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