Tunnel: meaning, definitions and examples

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tunnel

[ ˈtʌnəl ]

^{Context #1}

underground construction

A tunnel is an underground passage through a mountain or beneath a city, road, or river.

Synonyms

passage, subway, underpass

Examples of usage

The train passed through the tunnel.
The miners dug a tunnel to reach the coal deposits.

^{Context #2}

to dig or bore through

To tunnel means to dig or bore through a mountain, city, road, or river to create an underground passage.

Synonyms

bore, dig, excavate

Examples of usage

The rabbits tunnelled under the fence to escape.
The workers tunneled through the rock to build the subway.

Translations

Translations of the word "tunnel" in other languages:

🇵🇹 túnel

🇮🇳 सुरंग

🇩🇪 Tunnel

🇮🇩 terowongan

🇺🇦 тунель

🇵🇱 tunel

🇯🇵 トンネル (tonneru)

🇫🇷 tunnel

🇪🇸 túnel

🇹🇷 tünel

🇰🇷 터널 (teoneol)

🇸🇦 نفق (nafaq)

🇨🇿 tunel

🇸🇰 tunel

🇨🇳 隧道 (suìdào)

🇸🇮 tunel

🇮🇸 göng

🇰🇿 туннель

🇬🇪 სათხილამურო (satkhilamuro)

🇦🇿 tunel

🇲🇽 túnel

Word origin

The word 'tunnel' originated from the Middle English word 'tonel' which came from the Old French word 'tonel'. The concept of tunnels dates back to ancient civilizations, with some of the earliest tunnels being constructed by the Romans and the ancient Egyptians. Tunnels have played a significant role in transportation and infrastructure development throughout history.