siphon
2 synonyms for siphon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A bent tube that uses pressure and gravity to move liquid from one container to a lower one.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
syphon
siphon off
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A bent tube that uses pressure and gravity to move liquid from one container to a lower one.
“He used a siphon to drain fuel from the tank.”
syphon
siphon off
2. verb
To draw off liquid, or by extension money or resources, gradually and often secretly.
“The accountant was siphoning funds from the company for years.”
syphon
How to use siphon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
siphon fuel
siphon money
siphon off
Etymology
From Greek σίφων (síphōn, "pipe, tube"), via Latin and Old French.
Full origin of siphon →Frequently asked questions
What does “siphon” mean?
The word “siphon” means a bent tube that uses pressure and gravity to move liquid from one container to a lower one. In plain terms, a tube for moving liquid using gravity, or figuratively, quietly draining money or resources away.
How do you pronounce “siphon”?
“Siphon” is pronounced SEYE-fuhn (/ˈsaɪfən/ in IPA).
How do you use “siphon” in a sentence?
Here is “siphon” used in a sentence: “He used a siphon to drain fuel from the tank.”
What part of speech is “siphon”?
Depending on how it is used, “siphon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “siphon” come from?
The word “siphon” comes from Latin. From Greek σίφων (síphōn, "pipe, tube"), via Latin and Old French.
How many meanings does “siphon” have?
“Siphon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bent tube that uses pressure and gravity to move liquid from one container to a lower one.
