Spigot: meaning, definitions and examples

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spigot

 

[ หˆspษชษกษ™t ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

water dispenser

A spigot is a small device that controls the flow of liquid, typically found on a container or pipe.

Synonyms

faucet, tap, valve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
spigot

This term is commonly used in the context of outdoor water sources or when referring to devices for controlling the flow of liquids from containers, such as barrels.

  • He turned the spigot to water the garden
  • The wine was flowing from the spigot attached to the large barrel
faucet

This word is often used in indoor settings, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, to describe devices used to control the release of water from a pipe.

  • She turned on the faucet to wash her hands
  • The faucet in the kitchen is leaking
valve

Valve is a technical term generally used in mechanical and engineering contexts to describe a device that controls the flow of fluids or gases.

  • The engineer adjusted the valve to increase the pressure
  • There is a safety valve on the boiler to prevent accidents
tap

This is a more general term that can be used both indoors and outdoors to describe devices that control the flow of water or other liquids. It is commonly used in British English.

  • He filled the bucket from the tap in the garden
  • The bathroom tap needs repairing

Examples of usage

  • Turn the spigot to start the flow of water.
  • The spigot on the barrel was leaking.
Context #2 | Noun

wine barrel

In the context of a wine barrel, a spigot is a small faucet used for drawing off wine.

Synonyms

faucet, tap, valve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
spigot

Often refers to a device that controls the flow of water from a large container or barrel. Frequently used in outdoor settings like gardens or with rain barrels. Also, it can mean an outdoor faucet in American English.

  • The rain barrel has a spigot to easily fill watering cans.
  • She installed a spigot on the wine barrel.
faucet

Commonly used in American English to describe a device that controls the flow of water from a pipe. Often found in kitchens and bathrooms.

  • She turned on the faucet to wash her hands.
  • The faucet in the bathroom is leaking.
tap

Primarily used in British English to refer to a device for controlling the release of liquid or gas. Commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and gardens.

  • Can you fix the leaky tap in the kitchen?
  • He turned the tap on to fill the bath.
valve

A broader term used for any device that regulates the flow of liquids or gases through pipes or tubes. Used more in mechanical or technical contexts.

  • The technician adjusted the valve to control the pressure.
  • A faulty valve caused the engine to overheat.

Examples of usage

  • The winemaker inserted the spigot into the barrel to pour a glass of wine.
  • The spigot was clogged and needed cleaning.
Context #3 | Verb

control the flow

To spigot means to control the flow of liquid by turning a spigot or similar device.

Synonyms

adjust, control, regulate.

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Word Description / Examples
spigot

Note: The word spigot was already described above.

regulate

Regulate means to set or adjust the amount, degree, or rate of something. It is often used in contexts involving rules, laws, or mechanisms designed to maintain order or efficiency.

  • The government aims to regulate emissions to combat climate change.
  • Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
control

Control involves having the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. It is often used in contexts where authority or power is exerted to manage situations.

  • The remote control allows you to change the TV channels.
  • He struggled to control his anger during the argument.
adjust

Adjust means to change or modify something slightly to achieve the desired fit, appearance, or result. This word is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from machinery to personal settings.

  • You might need to adjust the mirror so you can see better.
  • She adjusted the settings on her phone to reduce battery usage.

Examples of usage

  • She spigoted the water flow by adjusting the valve.
  • Make sure to spigot the oil flow before proceeding.

Translations

Translations of the word "spigot" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น torneira

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Zapfhahn

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ keran

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบั€ะฐะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kran

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่›‡ๅฃ (jyaguchi)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท robinet

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ grifo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท musluk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ˆ˜๋„๊ผญ์ง€ (sudokkogji)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตู†ุจูˆุฑ (sanbลซr)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kohoutek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kohรบtik

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฐด้พ™ๅคด (shuวlรณngtรณu)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pipa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ krani

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบั€ะฐะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒงแƒšแƒ˜แƒก แƒแƒœแƒ™แƒแƒœแƒ˜ (ts'qlis onkani)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kran

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ grifo

Etymology

The word 'spigot' originated from the Old French word 'espigot,' which meant a wooden peg or spile used to stop a hole. Over time, it evolved to refer to a device for controlling the flow of liquid. The use of spigots can be traced back to ancient civilizations where similar devices were used to control water flow. Today, spigots are commonly found on various containers, barrels, and pipes for easy dispensing of liquids.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,725, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.