blowtube: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Specialized
Quick answer
What does “blowtube” mean?
A tube through which a person blows air, especially one used to direct a stream of air onto a fire to make it burn more fiercely or one used in various crafts to direct a stream of air onto molten glass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tube through which a person blows air, especially one used to direct a stream of air onto a fire to make it burn more fiercely or one used in various crafts to direct a stream of air onto molten glass.
Can refer specifically to a blowpipe used in glassblowing, metalworking, or as a weapon (for shooting darts). In some contexts, it refers to the intake duct of a jet engine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in core meaning. Both use 'blowpipe' as a more common synonym. In technical glassblowing contexts, 'blowtube' or 'blowpipe' are used interchangeably in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both. The dart-shooting weapon connotation is equally archaic/anthropological in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language. Slightly more likely to appear in British engineering or historical texts, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “blowtube” in a Sentence
use a blowtube to + VERBblow through the blowtubethe blowtube of the furnaceVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in anthropology (for weapon), history of technology, and materials science/engineering (for glass/metals).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be encountered in museums, documentaries, or niche hobbyist contexts.
Technical
Primary domain: glassblowing, metallurgy, and some mechanical engineering contexts (e.g., describing part of a combustion system).
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blowtube”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blowtube”
- Misspelling as 'blow tube' (two words) in contexts where the compound is standard.
- Confusing it with a 'straw' or 'drinking tube'.
- Using it as a synonym for a generic hose or pipe.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most technical and historical contexts, 'blowtube' and 'blowpipe' are synonyms. 'Blowpipe' is slightly more common.
Yes, it can refer to a tube used for propelling darts by breath, used historically and by some indigenous peoples. This is a specialized, less common meaning today.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. The average English speaker may never encounter or need to use it.
In British English: /ˈbləʊtjuːb/ (BLOH-tyoob). In American English: /ˈbloʊtuːb/ (BLOH-toob). The main difference is the treatment of the 'u' sound after the 't'.
A tube through which a person blows air, especially one used to direct a stream of air onto a fire to make it burn more fiercely or one used in various crafts to direct a stream of air onto molten glass.
Blowtube is usually technical / specialized in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"BLOW" + "TUBE" = a TUBE you BLOW through. Think of a glassblower using a long tube to shape molten glass.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOL IS AN EXTENSION OF THE BODY (the breath).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is 'blowtube' MOST likely to be used correctly?