noun
Common
pipes
pyps
Pipes (noun) means informal term for a person's singing voice or vocal ability. Example: “With pipes like hers, she should be on the stage.”
noun
1
Informal term for a person's singing voice or vocal ability.
"With pipes like hers, she should be on the stage."
"He warmed up his pipes before the choir concert."
"That singer really has a great set of pipes."
2
A network of tubes carrying water, gas, or other fluid through a building.
"The plumber said the old pipes in the cellar needed replacing."
"Water was leaking from the pipes under the kitchen sink."
"The pipes froze during the cold snap."
How to use pipes
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe plumbing in a building — or, informally, someone's singing voice.
When to use it
The "singing voice" meaning is casual slang, common in music and sports commentary.
Common pairings
great pipes
burst pipes
frozen pipes
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like pipes.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
With _____ like hers, she should be on the stage.
Etymology
In the sense "vocal capacity", used as if one's lungs were made of pipework.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pipes
See all rhymes for pipes →Frequently asked questions
What does “pipes” mean?
The word “pipes” means informal term for a person's singing voice or vocal ability. In plain terms, the plumbing in a building — or, informally, someone's singing voice.
How do you pronounce “pipes”?
“Pipes” is pronounced pyps (/paɪps/ in IPA).
How do you use “pipes” in a sentence?
Here is “pipes” used in a sentence: “That singer really has a great set of pipes.”
What part of speech is “pipes”?
“Pipes” is a noun.
Is “pipes” a common word?
“Pipes” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pipes” have?
“Pipes” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal term for a person's singing voice or vocal ability.
Is using "pipes" for a singing voice formal or informal?
Using "pipes" to mean a singing voice is informal and conversational, common in music and entertainment. In formal writing you would refer instead to a person's "voice" or "vocal ability."
What is the difference between "pipes" and "piping"?
"Pipes" usually refers to the individual tubes that carry water, gas, or other fluid, while "piping" is the collective system of those pipes or the material they are made from. A plumber installs pipes; the whole network can be called the piping.
Does "pipes" always mean more than one pipe?
As a plural noun for tubes, "pipes" does refer to several. In the singing sense, however, "pipes" is a fixed informal expression — you would say a singer "has great pipes," not "a great pipe."
