duct

1 of 2

noun

1
: a bodily tube or vessel especially when carrying the secretion of a gland
2
a
: a pipe, tube, or channel that conveys a substance
b
: a pipe or tubular runway for carrying an electric power line, telephone cables, or other conductors
3
: a tube or elongated cavity (such as a xylem vessel) in plant tissue
4
: a layer (as in the atmosphere or the ocean) which occurs under usually abnormal conditions and in which radio or sound waves are confined to a restricted path
ductal adjective
ductless adjective

duct

2 of 2

verb

ducted; ducting; ducts

transitive verb

1
: to enclose in a duct
2
: to convey (something, such as a gas) through a duct
also : to propagate (something, such as radio waves) through a duct

Examples of duct in a Sentence

Noun air ducts to provide ventilation
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
During a four-hour procedure earlier this month, surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital connected the pig kidney's blood vessels and ureter -- the duct that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder -- with those of 62-year-old Richard Slayman, a man living with end-stage kidney disease. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024 Clean the vent duct behind your dryer using a vacuum cleaner hose. USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024 The Al-Shifa tunnel was discovered by following ducts that ran underground from air-conditioning units that were powered by the hospital’s electricity supply and mounted on one of its buildings, officials said. Matthew Rosenberg, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 The new ducts installed in the station have exterior insulation, allowing for the insides to be cleaned, the release noted. Michael Braithwaite, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2024 Gallstones that block the duct that the pancreas sends its enzymes through can also cause pancreatitis. Amanda Gardner, Health, 29 Oct. 2023 The bra aims to optimize breast health and prevent common issues like mastitis and clogged ducts. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 To prevent ice dams from forming: Prevent heat from escaping into your attic by ensuring all attic ducts are sealed and properly insulated and any exhaust fans lead outdoors, not to the attic. Detroit Free Press, 24 Jan. 2024 The engine features a second set of new key components, including a nozzle, hydraulic actuators, flex ducts, and turbopumps. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 6 Oct. 2023
Verb
Duct size and compatibility: Matching the exhaust fan's duct size and type with your existing ductwork or ventilation system can reduce the need for additional ductwork modifications or adapters. Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2023 The board approved the purchase of items needed for educating during the coronavirus, including $200,000 for HVAC ultraviolet disinfectant emitters for A /C units and duct microbial control and $150,000 for COVID-19 testing that provides results in about 24-36 hours. Savannah Mehrtens, Houston Chronicle, 12 Aug. 2020 Fire crews accessed the roof and found a fire in the hood and duct system coming from the kitchen. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2022 Cellphone videos taken by other passengers show onboard fights, flight attendants being assaulted, other passengers being punched, offenders often duct taped to their seats and law enforcement escorting passengers off planes. Peter Greenberg, CBS News, 23 Sep. 2022 Participants were able to receive roof repairs, duct cleanings, mold remediation and other large repairs. jsonline.com, 1 Sep. 2022 The NASCAR Research and Development team designed, and printed using a Stratasys Fortus 450mc 3D printer, an underside NACA duct for engine cooling for the cars. Greg Engle, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Her 53-year-old son, Bart, had been left bound and duct taped to his wheelchair with garbage over his face. Harriet Sokmensuer, PEOPLE.com, 13 Dec. 2021 Jaron Johnson also duct taped her hands behind her, according to the affidavit. Meredith Colias-Pete, chicagotribune.com, 23 Nov. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'duct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin ductus, from Medieval Latin, aqueduct, from Latin, act of leading, from ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of duct was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near duct

Cite this Entry

“Duct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duct. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

duct

noun
ˈdəkt
1
: a tube or vessel carrying a bodily fluid (as the secretion of a gland)
2
: a pipe, tube, or channel through which a fluid (as air or water) flows
ductless
ˈdək-tləs
adjective
Etymology

Noun

from scientific Latin ductus "tube or vessel from a gland," from Latin ductus "aqueduct," from earlier ductus "act of leading" — related to aqueduct, dock entry 3

Medical Definition

duct

noun
: a bodily tube or vessel especially when carrying the secretion of a gland

More from Merriam-Webster on duct

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