variants
also syphon
plural siphons
: a bent tube used to move a liquid from one container into another container by means of air pressure
variants
also syphon
siphons; siphoned; siphoning
1
: to move (a liquid) from one container to another by using a siphon
The water needs to be siphoned from the pool.
—often + offHe siphoned off gas from the car's tank.
2
: to take and use (something, such as money) for your own purpose
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.
Cite this Entry
“Siphon.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/siphon. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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