First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1pipe
noun \ˈpīp\
: a long, hollow tube for carrying water, steam, gas, etc.
: a tube with a small bowl at one end that is used for smoking tobacco
: a musical instrument that is in the shape of a tube, has holes along the top, and is played by blowing
Full Definition of PIPE
1
2
a : a long tube or hollow body for conducting a liquid, gas, or finely divided solid or for structural purposes b : a means of transmission (as of television signals or computer data) <a broadband fiber-optic pipe>
3
a : a tubular or cylindrical object, part, or passage b : a roughly cylindrical and vertical geological formation c : the eruptive channel opening into the crater of a volcano
4
a : a large cask of varying capacity used especially for wine and oil b : any of various units of liquid capacity based on the size of a pipe; especially : a unit equal to two hogsheads
5
: a device for smoking usually consisting of a tube having a bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at the other
6
— pipe·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun
— pipe·less \ˈpīp-ləs\ adjective
— pipe·like \ˈpīp-ˌlīk\ adjective
See pipe defined for English-language learners
See pipe defined for kids
Origin of PIPE
Middle English, from Old English pīpa (akin to Old High German pfīfa pipe), from Vulgar Latin *pipa pipe, from Latin pipare to peep, of imitative origin
2pipe
verb
: to carry or move (something, such as water or oil) in a pipe
: to send (music or recorded sound) from one place to another through an electrical connection
: to play a pipe or the bagpipes
pipedpip·ing
Full Definition of PIPE
intransitive verb
1
a : to play on a pipe b : to convey orders by signals on a boatswain's pipe
2
a : to speak in a high or shrill voice b : to emit a shrill sound
transitive verb
1
a : to play (a tune) on a pipe b : to utter in the shrill tone of a pipe
2
a : to lead or cause to go with pipe music b (1) : to call or direct by the boatswain's pipe (2) : to receive aboard or attend the departure of by sounding a boatswain's pipe
3
: to trim with piping
4
: to furnish or equip with pipes
5
: to convey by or as if by pipes; especially : to transmit by wire or coaxial cable
6
: notice
See pipe defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PIPE
before 12th century
PIPE Defined for Kids
1pipe
noun \ˈpīp\
Definition of PIPE for Kids
1
: a long tube or hollow body for carrying a substance (as water, steam, or gas) <the exhaust pipe of a car> <underground water pipes>
2
: a musical instrument or part of a musical instrument consisting of a tube (as of wood or metal) played by blowing or having air passed through it
3
: bagpipe —usually used in pl.
4
: a tube with a small bowl at one end for smoking tobacco or for blowing bubbles
2pipe
verb
pipedpip·ing
Definition of PIPE for Kids
1
: to move by means of pipes <Water was piped into the city.>
2
: to play on a pipe <The musician piped a tune.>
— pip·er noun
— pipe down
: to stop talking or making noise
— pipe up
: to start talking : say something
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