Tubes: meaning, definitions and examples

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tubes

[tjuːbz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical equipment

Tubes are hollow cylinders made of metal, plastic, or rubber, typically used for transporting fluids or gases within the body or between different containers.

Synonyms

ducts, hoses, pipes.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tubes	Refers to cylindrical objects, often used in everyday items like toothpaste tubes or test tubes in a lab. These are typically small and can be made from various materials such as plastic or glass. She squeezed some toothpaste out of the tube ; The scientist carefully measured the liquid in the test tube
pipes	Rigid cylindrical objects used to transport liquids or gases over long distances. Commonly seen in plumbing or gas systems, usually made of metal or plastic. The plumber replaced the old pipes with new ones ; Gas is transported to homes through underground pipes
ducts	Used in technical or industrial contexts, often referring to conduits for air, cables, or fluids within a building or machinery, usually made of metal or plastic. The air conditioning unit is connected to the ventilation ducts ; The electrical cables run through ducts in the walls
hoses	Often used for flexible tubes that transport water or other fluids. Commonly used in gardening, firefighting, and various industrial activities. Typically made of rubber or PVC. He watered the garden using a hose ; The firefighters unrolled the hose to put out the blaze

Examples of usage

The doctor inserted a tube into the patient's throat to help him breathe.
The test tube contained the blood sample for analysis.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

internet slang

In internet slang, 'tubes' refers to the network of information superhighways that make up the internet.

Synonyms

cyberspace, internet, network.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tubes	In a more casual or humorous setting, this term can denote the Internet, especially in reference to its infrastructure. While not commonly used in professional or technical contexts, it can be employed to make light of tech discussions. Can you believe my video is still buffering? These tubes must be really clogged today! The senator famously referred to the Internet as a series of tubes.
internet	This is the most commonly used term for the global system of interconnected computer networks. It's suitable for formal, technical, and everyday contexts when referring to online activities, web browsing, and digital communication. I found the recipe on the internet. With the internet, you can communicate with people across the globe.
cyberspace	This term is often used in discussions about the Internet and the virtual environments inside it. It's appropriate for talking about online interactions, digital communities, and the overall virtual world. She spends most of her free time exploring the vast reaches of cyberspace. Cybersecurity is crucial for protecting our data in cyberspace.
network	This term refers to a group of interconnected devices or systems. While it can mean the Internet, it's more often used to describe smaller, specific systems, such as a home network, a corporate network, or a social network. Our office network is down, so we can't access our files. She has a strong network of professional contacts.

Examples of usage

I can't access the website because the tubes are clogged with traffic.
The video went viral and broke the internet tubes.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

informal

To 'tubes' something means to transport or convey it through a system of tubes or channels.

Synonyms

convey, transfer, transport.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tubes	Used to describe hollow cylindrical objects that can carry liquids, gases, or other materials. Often found in plumbing, medical instruments, or industrial applications. The laboratory uses glass tubes for experiments The plumber repaired the leaking tubes in our bathroom
transport	Used to describe the act of moving people or goods from one location to another, usually over considerable distances and often involving vehicles such as cars, trucks, planes, or ships. They used trucks to transport the goods to the warehouse Public transport in the city includes buses, trains, and trams
convey	Typically used to describe the act of communicating thoughts, feelings, or information, rather than physical movement of objects. She tried to convey her gratitude through a heartfelt letter The teacher used a diagram to convey the concept more clearly
transfer	Often used when describing the act of moving something from one place, person, or situation to another, especially in official contexts or when the action is a formal process. The company decided to transfer him to their London office You can transfer money to another account via the banking app

Examples of usage

We need to tubes the data from one server to another.
The company tubes their products directly to customers.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'tuba', meaning 'trumpet' or 'pipe', referring to its shape.
In Middle English, 'tube' referred to a small pipe, showcasing its long-standing use in language.
The contemporary meaning evolved in the 19th century as technology advanced, particularly in engineering.

Science

In biology, tubes are essential for transporting fluids, like blood vessels in animals and xylem in plants.
The use of tubes in laboratory settings, known as test tubes, has been crucial for experiments and chemical reactions.
In physics, tubes can also refer to structures used in gases or liquids, like jet tubes or pneumatic tubes that move items quickly.

Technology

The invention of vacuum tubes in the early 20th century revolutionized electronics, leading to the development of radios and computers.
Fiber optic tubes have transformed telecommunications by allowing data to travel at the speed of light through glass fibers.
Modern construction often uses tubes for frameworks, making buildings lighter yet stronger.

Art

In painting, tubes of paint allow artists to easily squeeze out vibrant colors, revolutionizing the way art is created.
Sculptors often use tubes in mixed media art to create unique textures and forms, integrating different materials together.
The concept of tube-based instruments, like saxophones and trumpets, showcases how hollow shapes create varied musical sounds.

Pop Culture

In pop culture, 'the Tube' is a popular nickname for the London Underground train system, symbolizing urban transportation.
Animated shows often depict characters sliding down giant tubes, adding humor and excitement to their adventures.
In technology platforms, 'YouTube' has influenced how media is shared and consumed, reshaping entertainment.

Translations

Translations of the word "tubes" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tubos

🇮🇳 ट्यूब्स

🇩🇪 Röhren

🇮🇩 tabung

🇺🇦 труби

🇵🇱 rury

🇯🇵 チューブ

🇫🇷 tubes

🇪🇸 tubos

🇹🇷 borular

🇰🇷 튜브

🇸🇦 أنابيب

🇨🇿 trubky

🇸🇰 rúrky

🇨🇳 管

🇸🇮 cevi

🇮🇸 rör

🇰🇿 трубалар

🇬🇪 მილი

🇦🇿 borular

🇲🇽 tubos

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,403, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3400 neutral
3401 phases
3402 infant
3403 tubes
3404 replace
3405 coat
3406 manufactured
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