tube
toob
Tube (noun) means a hollow cylinder used to carry liquid, gas, or other material. Example: “Water ran along a long plastic tube from the tank to the garden.”
noun
1
A hollow cylinder used to carry liquid, gas, or other material.
"Water ran along a long plastic tube from the tank to the garden."
"She squeezed the last of the toothpaste from the tube."
"A rubber tube connected the pump to the tyre valve."
2
(informal, chiefly British) The London Underground railway system.
"Does this tube line go straight to the airport, or do I change?"
"The tube was packed with commuters, so I stood all the way home."
"We'll take the tube — it's quicker than a taxi at this time of day."
verb
1
To fit or enclose something in a tube, or to float down a river on an inflated inner tube for fun.
"The children love to tube down the river on hot summer weekends."
"The engineer will tube the cables so the wires stay protected."
"They spent the afternoon tubing down the lazy river behind the campsite."
How to use tube
Learner’s notes
UK vs US
"The tube" for the London Underground is a British usage; it would not be understood that way in the US.
Common pairings
inner tube
test tube
take the tube
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- tubes
- Past tense
- tubed
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Water ran along a long plastic _____ from the tank to the garden.
Etymology
From French tube, from Latin tubus ("pipe"), a relative of tuba ("trumpet") — both probably going back to a very old word for a hollow reed or pipe.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tube
See all rhymes for tube →Frequently asked questions
What does “tube” mean?
The word “tube” means a hollow cylinder used to carry liquid, gas, or other material.
How do you pronounce “tube”?
“Tube” is pronounced toob (/tuːb/ in IPA).
How do you use “tube” in a sentence?
Here is “tube” used in a sentence: “She squeezed the last of the toothpaste from the tube.”
What part of speech is “tube”?
Depending on how it is used, “tube” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tube” come from?
The word “tube” comes from Latin. From French tube, from Latin tubus ("pipe"), a relative of tuba ("trumpet") — both probably going back to a very old word for a hollow reed or pipe.
Is “tube” a common word?
“Tube” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “tube” have?
“Tube” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hollow cylinder used to carry liquid, gas, or other material.
What is the difference between a 'tube' and a 'pipe'?
A 'tube' is a hollow cylinder used to carry liquid, gas, or other material, and it can be flexible or rigid and made for many uses. A 'pipe' is usually a rigid tube specifically for carrying fluids over a distance, as in water or gas pipes.
What is the difference between the 'Tube' and the 'Underground'?
Both refer to the London Underground railway system. 'The Tube' is the informal, everyday nickname, taking its name from the deep, tube-shaped tunnels, while 'the Underground' is the more official term.
Do you capitalize 'Tube' when it means the London Underground?
Yes, when 'Tube' refers to the London Underground it is usually capitalized, as in 'take the Tube'. Written in lower case, 'tube' means the general hollow cylinder rather than the railway.
What is the difference between a 'tube' and a 'cylinder'?
A 'cylinder' is the solid or hollow shape with straight sides and circular ends. A 'tube' is a hollow cylinder that is open through its length and made to carry something, so every tube is cylindrical but not every cylinder is a tube.
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