Pipework: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to a complex system of pipes, usually in buildings or industrial settings.

• The plumber inspected the entire pipework of the old house
• The pipework for the new building is nearly complete

Used for generic or decorative pipe systems; can also refer to the act of assembling pipes.

• The piping in the kitchen needs to be replaced
• The piping around the edges of the dress is very elegant

Refers to a long, continuous pipe, often used for transporting oil, gas, or water over long distances.

• The oil company plans to build a new pipeline
• The water pipeline extends for hundreds of miles

Used primarily for channels that carry electrical wiring or networks, sometimes also for water or other fluids in specific contexts.

• They installed a conduit to protect the electrical wiring
• The data cables run through a secure conduit

This term is used to describe the system of pipes used in plumbing, heating, or industrial contexts. It's a general term for all the pipes connected as part of a bigger system.

• The plumber inspected the entire pipework to find the source of the leak.
• Modern buildings often have very complex pipework to support heating, cooling, and water systems.

This term is specific to musical contexts, referring to the pipes in a pipe organ which produce sound when air is pushed through them.

• The church organ, with its intricate array of organ pipes, has been in use for over a century.
• Each note on the organ is produced by a specific set of organ pipes.

Flue pipes are specific to heating systems, often part of a furnace, boiler, or fireplace. They are designed to direct smoke and gases outside.

• The flue pipes need to be cleaned regularly to prevent chimney fires.
• During the inspection, they found that the flue pipes were blocked, which could cause hazardous gas buildup.