tube

noun

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\ ˈtüb

, ˈtyüb \

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 sense b

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

2a : 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

4a : 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

down the tube or down the tubes

: into a state of collapse or deterioration

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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 on the Web These are patients who have pneumonia and are able to walk, but need a tube of oxygen flowing at a high rate plugged into their nose to avoid becoming critically ill. — Los Angeles Times, "Central Valley hospitals brace for oxygen shortages, lack of space for bodies," 6 Jan. 2021 Bullseye, @justinflom In @justinflom’s hands, a tube of M&M’s becomes the vehicle for the greatest TikTok prank of the year. — Wired Staff, Wired, "The Best TikToks of 2020," 17 Dec. 2020 Add a tube of pellets added to a gas grill or add some wood chunks to a charcoal grill. — Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, "Chuck’s Food Shack: Holiday snacks hit the smoker for a burst of flavor," 14 Dec. 2020 Sunscreen, mascara, and a $10 tube of healing ointment. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Zendaya’s Favorite Beauty Product Aquaphor Only Costs $12," 4 Dec. 2020 This is also the best moment to stock up on Aesop’s luxurious hand washes and creamy balms or even a tube of Glossier’s famous Boy Brow. — Alexis Bennett, Vogue, "The Best Cyber Monday Offerings from All of Our Favorite Stores," 29 Nov. 2020 Those who always keep a tube of Fresh’s Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm at the ready will definitely want to get in on the brand’s Black Friday deals. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "57 Black Friday Beauty Deals to Shop Now," 27 Nov. 2020 Developed by a father-son dentist duo with more than 50 years of experience, Linhart makes what might be the most fashionable tube of toothpaste around, in an Hermès-esque shade of orange. — Rachel King, Fortune, "The best beauty and wellness presents of 2020," 1 Nov. 2020 Freud’s final depiction of Paul, Painter and Model, shows Paul in spattered garb, brush in hand, tube of pigment beneath her feet. — Rumaan Alam, The New Republic, "Celia Paul Redefines the Artist’s Model," 29 Oct. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

21 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Tube.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tube. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for tube

tube

noun

English Language Learners Definition of tube

: 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

See the full definition for tube in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tube

noun

\ ˈtüb

, ˈtyüb \

Kids Definition of tube

1 : a long hollow cylinder used especially to carry fluids

2 : a long soft container whose contents (as toothpaste or glue) can be removed by squeezing

3 : a slender channel within a plant or animal body : duct

4 : a hollow cylinder of rubber inside a tire to hold air

5 : electron tube

6 : television sense 2

tube

noun

\ ˈt(y)üb

Medical Definition of tube

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a slender channel within a plant or animal body : duct — see bronchial tube, eustachian tube, fallopian tube

2a : an often complex piece of laboratory or technical apparatus usually of glass and commonly serving to isolate or convey a product of reaction a distillation tube

b : test tube

3 : a soft tubular container whose contents (as toothpaste) can be dispensed by squeezing

4 : a hollow cylindrical device (as a cannula) used for insertion into bodily passages or hollow organs for removal or injection of materials

tube

transitive verb

tubed; tubing

Medical Definition of tube (Entry 2 of 2)

: to furnish with, enclose in, or pass through a tube the patient is then anesthetized…and tubed — Anesthesia Digest

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