¹duct

noun \ˈdəkt\

: a pipe or tube for air, water, electric power lines, etc., to pass through

: a tube in the body that carries a particular liquid

Full Definition of DUCT

: a bodily tube or vessel especially when carrying the secretion of a gland

a : a pipe, tube, or channel that conveys a substance

b : a pipe or tubular runway for carrying an electric power line, telephone cables, or other conductors

: a tube or elongated cavity (as a xylem vessel) in plant tissue

: a layer (as in the atmosphere or the ocean) which occurs under usually abnormal conditions and in which radio or sound waves are confined to a restricted path

— duc·tal \ˈdək-t^əl\ adjective

— duct·less \ˈdək(t)-ləs\ adjective

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See duct defined for kids

Origin of DUCT

New Latin ductus, from Medieval Latin, aqueduct, from Latin, act of leading, from ducere to lead — more at tow

First Known Use: 1667

Related to DUCT

Synonyms: channel, conduit, pipe, leader, line, penstock, trough, tube

²duct

verb

Definition of DUCT

transitive verb

: to enclose in a duct

: to convey (as a gas) through a duct; also : to propagate (as radio waves) through a duct

First Known Use of DUCT

1936

DUCT Defined for Kids

duct

noun \ˈdəkt\

Definition of DUCT for Kids

: a pipe, tube, or vessel that carries something <air-conditioning ducts> <tear ducts>

Word Root of DUCT

The Latin word ducere, meaning “to lead,” and its form ductus give us the roots duc and duct. Words from the Latin ducere have something to do with leading. A duct is a tube that leads from one place or organ to another. To educate, or teach, is to lead to knowledge. To induce is to lead into a particular state.

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