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Pipe Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pipe

[paɪp ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

smoking

A tube of metal, plastic, or other material used to convey water, gas, oil, or other fluid substances.

Synonyms

conduit, hose, tube.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pipe

Typically used for plumbing, smoking instruments, or musical instruments.

  • The plumber fixed the broken water pipe
  • He smokes his favorite tobacco in a wooden pipe
  • The organist played a tune on the church pipe organ
tube

Refers to cylindrical structures often used in scientific, medical, or transportation contexts, and can be flexible or rigid.

  • The sample was placed in a test tube for analysis
  • She traveled across the city using the underground tube system
hose

Best used for flexible tubes meant to convey water or other fluids, often in gardening or firefighting.

  • He watered the garden using a rubber hose
  • The firefighters quickly unrolled the hose to extinguish the flames
conduit

Used to describe a channel for conveying fluids, cables, or other items, often in construction or utilities.

  • The electrical wires are protected by a metal conduit
  • Rainwater flows through a conduit to the drainage system below

Examples of usage

  • The plumber fixed the broken pipe in the kitchen.
  • The pipe burst and flooded the basement.
  • She smoked a pipe filled with tobacco.
Context #2 | Noun

music

A musical wind instrument consisting of a cylindrical tube made of wood or metal with holes along its length that are stopped by the fingers or keys, producing different notes.

Synonyms

fife, flute, whistle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pipe

Commonly used to refer to a musical instrument in traditional and folk music, particularly in Scottish and Irish culture. It can also mean a cylindrical tube used in plumbing.

  • He played a lively tune on his pipe
  • The plumber fixed the old pipe under the sink
flute

A woodwind instrument known for its soft melodious sound, used in orchestras and various types of music.

  • She played a beautiful solo on the flute
  • The flutist was the star of the evening performance
whistle

An instrument that produces a high-pitched sound when blown through; often used in sports, signaling, or toy.

  • The referee blew the whistle to stop the game
  • He always carried a safety whistle during his hikes
fife

A small, high-pitched flute used especially in military and marching bands, often alongside drums.

  • The fife and drum corps led the parade through town
  • She learned to play the fife as part of her music education

Examples of usage

  • He played a beautiful melody on his pipe.
  • The sound of the pipe echoed through the forest.
Context #3 | Verb

conveying fluid

To convey or carry off by means of a pipe.

Synonyms

channel, convey, transport.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pipe

Used to refer to a cylindrical tube through which liquids or gases can flow. Commonly found in plumbing, manufacturing, and engineering contexts.

  • The water pipe burst, causing a flood in the basement.
  • He used a pipe to carry the exhaust gases away from the engine.
transport

Refers to the act of moving people or goods from one location to another, typically over a longer distance. Commonly used in logistics, travel, and shipping.

  • The company specializes in transporting heavy machinery.
  • Public transport in the city includes buses, trams, and trains.
convey

Used to describe the act of transmitting or communicating an idea, feeling, or information. Can also refer to physically moving objects from one place to another.

  • He was able to convey his message clearly.
  • The conveyor belt was used to convey the boxes to the sorting area.
channel

Often refers to a medium or pathway through which information, communication, or energy is transmitted. Also used in the context of waterways.

  • She changed the channel on the TV.
  • The river carved out a twisting channel over centuries.

Examples of usage

  • The oil is piped from the refinery to the storage tanks.
  • The water is piped into the house from the main supply.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Uses

  • Pipes have been used since ancient times, including in Roman aqueducts, to transport water.
  • Traditionally, the church pipe organ has been a significant instrument in religious ceremonies.
  • In many cultures, pipes were used for smoking tobacco and other herbs, often in ceremonial practices.

Science

  • In physics, pipes are important for studying fluid dynamics, which examines how liquids move through tubes.
  • The shape and size of a pipe can greatly affect how quickly a liquid flows through it.
  • Pipes are essential in various industries, including oil and gas, where they transport materials over long distances.

Pop Culture

  • In modern movies and video games, a plumber character often uses pipes as part of their industry, popularized by iconic characters like Mario.
  • Musical pipes, such as pan flutes or bagpipes, are associated with specific cultures and traditions around the world.
  • Pipes often symbolize connection and communication in literature and media, demonstrating how ideas and resources flow between people or places.

Art

  • Pipe motifs are frequently featured in art, symbolizing transition and the flow of life.
  • Pipes have been depicted in paintings and sculptures, serving as metaphors for creativity and expression.
  • The design of pipes has influenced architectural features, creating beautiful lines and shapes in many buildings.

Origin of 'pipe'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'pipa,' which means a pipe or tube.
  • In Old English, the term 'pip' referred to a tube used for musical instruments.
  • Over time, the meaning expanded to include any hollow cylindrical object.

The word 'pipe' originated from the Latin word 'pipare', which means to chirp or peep. The term was first used in the 13th century to refer to a musical wind instrument. Over time, it evolved to also describe a tube used for conveying fluids. Pipes have played a crucial role in human civilization, from water distribution systems to tobacco smoking rituals.

See also: pipefitting, pipeline, piper, pipes, pipet, pipework, piping.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,138, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.