tube

noun \ ˈtüb , ˈtyüb \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: tube in a Sentence

Definition of tube

1 : any of various usually cylindrical structures or devices: such as

a : a hollow elongated cylinder; especially : one to convey fluids

b : a soft tubular container whose contents (such as toothpaste) can be removed by squeezing

c (1) : tunnel

(2) British : subway b

d : the basically cylindrical section between the mouthpiece and bell that is the fundamental part of a wind instrument

2 a : a slender channel (such as a fallopian tube or a pollen tube) within a plant or animal body : duct

b : the narrow basal portion of a corolla with united petals or a calyx with united sepals

3 : inner tube

4 a : electron tube; especially : vacuum tube

b : cathode-ray tube; especially : a television picture tube

c : television

5 : an article of clothing shaped like a tube

a tube top

tube socks

—

tubed

play \ˈtübd, ˈtyübd\ adjective

—

tubelike

play \ˈtüb-ˌlīk, ˈtyüb-\ adjective

— down the tube or down the tubes

: into a state of collapse or deterioration

See tube defined for English-language learners

See tube defined for kids

Examples of tube in a Sentence

She was breathing oxygen through a tube.
watched the liquid move through the tube between the flasks and recorded the movement in his chemistry notebook

Recent Examples of tube from the Web

As the sample heats up, gases come off and are channeled into a tube where they are sniffed by a mass spectrometer.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "Finally, scientists have found intriguing organic molecules on Mars," 7 June 2018
Studies have shown that video laryngoscopes help with successful placement of breathing tubes at a shorter time compared with the conventional methods.

— naseem s. miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando paramedics use cadavers to practice skills," 6 June 2018
Paccheri The negative space in the center of these large, smooth tubes looks awesome when plated on a giant platter with some meaty sauce or in this pork and beans pasta.

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "You Can and Should Be Using These 5 Supersized Pasta Shapes," 5 June 2018
The explosives had been packed into a toothpaste tube.

— ellie silverman, Washington Post, "Luis Posada Carriles, militant anti-communist who tried to overthrow Castro, dies at 90," 24 May 2018
Once the lava drops, rocks that had been superheated could fall into the lava tube.

— Fox News, "Volcano explosion won't be deadly if people stay out of park," 11 May 2018
Once the lava drops, rocks that had been superheated could fall into the lava tube.

— NBC News, "Hawaii's Kilauea volcano could spew boulders the size of refrigerators for miles," 11 May 2018
Once the lava drops, rocks that had been superheated could fall into the lava tube.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Hawaii volcano could blow its top soon, hurl rocks and ash," 11 May 2018
Once the lava drops, rocks that had been superheated could fall into the lava tube.

— sophia yan and seth borenstein, chicagotribune.com, "Hawaii volcano could spew boulders the size of refrigerators," 10 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of tube

French, from Latin tubus; akin to Latin tuba trumpet

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1651

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

tube Synonyms

Synonyms

channel, conduit, duct, leader, line, penstock, pipe, trough;

pipage (or pipeage), pipeline, piping;

TUBE Defined for English Language Learners

tube

noun

Definition of tube for English Language Learners

: a long, hollow object that is used especially to control the flow of a liquid or gas
: an object shaped like a pipe
: a soft, long, narrow container that has a small opening at one end and that contains a soft material which can be pushed out by squeezing