chute: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Technical, Everyday (context-dependent)
Quick answer
What does “chute” mean?
A steep, sloping or vertical channel, tube, or slide for conveying things downwards.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A steep, sloping or vertical channel, tube, or slide for conveying things downwards.
1) A channel for conveying water or rubbish. 2) A parachute (informal, abbreviation). 3) A rapid waterfall or shoot of water.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use all senses.
Connotations
Same connotations across regions: 'parachute' sense is informal.
Frequency
Frequency of use is similar. The 'laundry chute' is less common in modern UK housing.
Grammar
How to Use “chute” in a Sentence
[NP] + went/rolled/slid/fell + down the chute[NP] + was/were + sent + down the chuteThe [NP] + has a + (ADJ) + chuteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chute” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The grain was chuted directly into the silo.
- They'll chute the demolition debris down to ground level.
American English
- We need to chute these packages to the loading dock.
- The system chutes the sorted mail into different bins.
adverb
British English
- N/A – 'chute' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A – 'chute' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A – 'chute' is not standardly used as an adjective.
American English
- N/A – 'chute' is not standardly used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to logistics, e.g., 'The loading chute sped up the warehouse process.'
Academic
Used in engineering or geography contexts for describing channels or waterfalls.
Everyday
Most common in contexts of waste disposal (rubbish chute) or laundry.
Technical
In aviation (parachuting), mining (ore chutes), and materials handling.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chute”
- Misspelling as 'shute'.
- Confusing 'chute' (noun) with 'shoot' (verb).
- Using 'chute' for gentle slopes (it implies a significant drop).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but context-specific. In technical manuals, it is formal. The parachute sense is informal.
A 'slide' is often for people to play on. A 'chute' is primarily for conveying objects, water, or waste, though 'water chute' overlaps with 'slide'.
Yes, though less common. It means 'to convey down or as if down a chute' (e.g., 'The grain was chuted into the hold').
It's a common linguistic process called 'clipping' or 'truncation', similar to 'phone' from 'telephone'. The first syllable was dropped.
A steep, sloping or vertical channel, tube, or slide for conveying things downwards.
Chute: in British English it is pronounced /ʃuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃuːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go down the chute (to fail or be ruined)”
- “everything but the kitchen sink went down the chute”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHOOT down the chute' – both have similar sounds and imply fast downward motion.
Conceptual Metaphor
DOWNWARD MOVEMENT IS A JOURNEY / FAILURE IS A DESCENT (e.g., 'His plans went down the chute.')
Practice
Quiz
In informal aviation jargon, what does 'chute' mean?