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Siphon Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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siphon

[ˈsaɪf(ə)n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

kitchen utensil

A tube used to convey liquid upwards from a container and then down to a lower level by atmospheric pressure when the tube is filled with the liquid.

Synonyms

hose, pipe, tube.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
siphon

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
tube

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
hose

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
pipe

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

Examples of usage

  • He used a siphon to transfer the gasoline from the can into the car's tank.
  • The bartender used a siphon to pour the soda into the glass.
Context #2 | Verb

liquid transfer

To draw off or convey (liquid) by means of a siphon.

Synonyms

drain, extract, withdraw.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
siphon

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.
extract

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.
withdraw

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.
drain

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.

Examples of usage

  • She siphoned off some of the water from the fish tank.
  • The thief siphoned gas from the parked cars.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Siphoning relies on atmospheric pressure and gravity to move fluids in a controlled manner.
  • In biology, siphons are used by some aquatic animals, like clams and squids, to draw water and food.
  • The process can be used in chemistry to transfer liquids without disturbing sediment at the bottom of a container.

History

  • In ancient times, siphons were used in aqueducts to transport water over various terrains.
  • During the Roman Empire, engineers created complex systems that incorporated siphons for effective water management.
  • The invention of the siphon marked a significant advancement in how humans could manipulate water flow.

Pop Culture

  • Siphoning often appears in movies and TV shows, especially in scenes depicting heists or escapades involving stealing liquids, such as precious spirits.
  • In some video games, siphoning is a mechanic used to gain health or resources by drawing from opponents.
  • The image of a siphon is commonly used in wine pairings, where it's seen as a sophisticated tool in wine preparation.

Everyday Use

  • People often use siphons to drain aquariums or move gasoline from one tank to another safely.
  • Home brewers use siphons for moving beer from fermenters to bottles while leaving sediment behind.
  • In cooking, siphon gadgets are used for creating foams and emulsions in modernist cuisine.

Origin of 'siphon'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek word 'siphōn,' which means 'a pipe' or 'a funnel.'
  • It first appeared in English in the 16th century, used for describing various types of tubes.
  • The term has evolved to describe different applications beyond just moving liquids.

The word 'siphon' comes from the Greek word 'siphon', which means 'pipe' or 'tube'. The concept of siphoning liquids has been known since ancient times, with evidence of siphons being used in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The modern siphon, as we know it today, was developed in the 17th century by the French scientist Blaise Pascal.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,020, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.