pipe
PYP
Pipe (noun) means a rigid tube used to carry water, gas, or other fluids. Example: “The plumber replaced the old lead pipe under the kitchen sink.”
noun
1
A rigid tube used to carry water, gas, or other fluids.
"The plumber replaced the old lead pipe under the kitchen sink."
"Water was dripping from a cracked pipe behind the bathroom wall."
"A burst pipe flooded the basement."
2
A small bowl-and-stem device used for smoking tobacco.
"My grandfather kept a wooden pipe on the shelf beside his armchair."
"The old sailor tapped his pipe on the rail and lit it again."
"He relaxed on the porch with his pipe after dinner."
verb
1
To carry a liquid or piece of information along a channel from one place to another.
"The builders will pipe hot water from the boiler to the new bathroom upstairs."
"The system pipes water directly from the reservoir to each home."
"In the terminal, you can pipe the output of one command into another."
How to use pipe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tube for carrying liquid or gas, a smoking implement, or (as a verb) to send something — water or data — through a channel.
Common pairings
pipe dream
pipe down
pipe water
smoke a pipe
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Word forms
- Plural
- pipes
- Third person singular
- pipes
- Past tense
- piped
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The plumber replaced the old lead _____ under the kitchen sink.
Etymology
From Old English pipe, "a tube or musical wind instrument," from Proto-West Germanic roots imitating a chirping or piping sound.
Related words
Rhymes for pipe
See all rhymes for pipe →Frequently asked questions
What does “pipe” mean?
The word “pipe” means a rigid tube used to carry water, gas, or other fluids. In plain terms, a tube for carrying liquid or gas, a smoking implement, or (as a verb) to send something — water or data — through a channel.
How do you pronounce “pipe”?
“Pipe” is pronounced PYP (/ˈpaɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “pipe” in a sentence?
Here is “pipe” used in a sentence: “A burst pipe flooded the basement.”
What part of speech is “pipe”?
Depending on how it is used, “pipe” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pipe” come from?
The word “pipe” comes from Old English. From Old English pipe, "a tube or musical wind instrument," from Proto-West Germanic roots imitating a chirping or piping sound.
Is “pipe” a common word?
“Pipe” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “pipe” have?
“Pipe” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rigid tube used to carry water, gas, or other fluids.
What is the difference between a pipe and a tube?
A pipe is typically a rigid tube used to carry water, gas, or other fluids, often with thicker walls and a standard size. "Tube" is a broader word that can also cover flexible or thin-walled hollow cylinders, so in plumbing "pipe" usually implies rigidity.
What is the difference between a pipe and a hose?
A pipe is rigid and usually fixed in place, whereas a hose is flexible and can be moved and coiled. Both carry fluids, but pipes suit permanent installations while hoses suit temporary or portable connections.
What are the common types of pipe?
For the fluid-carrying sense, common kinds include water pipe, gas pipe, drainpipe, and exhaust pipe. In the other sense, a tobacco pipe is a small bowl-and-stem device used for smoking, so context shows which meaning applies.
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