Siphon: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when talking about transferring liquid from one container to another using a tube and gravity.

• He used a siphon to transfer gas from the tank to the generator
• They set up a siphon to drain the water out of the aquarium

Used when talking about a hollow cylindrical object, which can be soft or rigid, depending on the context, often for transporting liquids or supporting structures.

• She used a plastic tube to drink her juice
• The laboratory technician handled the glass test tube carefully

Used when talking about a flexible tube that transports water, typically for watering plants, cleaning, or firefighting.

• She watered the garden with a hose
• The fireman quickly grabbed the hose to extinguish the blaze

Used when referring to a rigid tube for transporting water, gas, oil, or other substances, usually in a building or system.

• The plumbers installed new pipes in the house
• The factory replaced the old pipes to prevent leaks

Utilized when transferring liquids from one container to another, often using a tube. It can also imply taking resources covertly.

• He used a hose to siphon gas from the car.
• The manager was caught siphoning funds from the company account.

Best used when pulling out substances, information, or objects from a source, and often suggests effort or technique.

• The dentist had to extract the broken tooth.
• Scientists work to extract useful data from historical records.

Commonly refers to removing oneself or taking something out, especially with formal or financial contexts.

• She decided to withdraw her application for the job.
• He went to the bank to withdraw some cash.

Appropriate when removing liquid from an area or object, typically letting it flow away by natural means.

• Please drain the pasta after it finishes boiling.
• Heavy rains caused the backyard to drain slowly.