pipe
B1Neutral, suitable for everyday, technical, and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A hollow cylindrical tube for conveying fluids, gases, or fine particulate solids; or a tubular smoking device.
In computing, a mechanism for interprocess communication; in music, a tube of an organ or a type of bagpipe; metaphorically, a means of channeling something (e.g., information).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has concrete (physical object) and abstract (computing, data transfer) meanings. The verb form often implies transmission or conveyance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in collocation frequency. 'Pipe' as a verb for conveying water/gas is universal. 'Pipe up' (to speak) is slightly more informal in both.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. 'Pipe dream' (an unrealistic hope) is common in both. In UK contexts, 'piping' (decorative icing) is more immediately culinary.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Slightly higher in UK technical/municipal contexts (e.g., 'water pipe') due to older infrastructure discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Pipe something (to/into something)Pipe that the + clausePipe up (with something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pipe down!”
- “Pipe dream”
- “Put that in your pipe and smoke it!”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to sales pipeline, project pipeline, or data pipeline.
Academic
Used in engineering (fluid dynamics), computing (Unix pipes), and musicology.
Everyday
Plumbing, DIY, smoking, baking (piping icing).
Technical
Specific to fields like hydraulics, oil/gas, network infrastructure, and process management.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- A frozen pipe caused the kitchen flood.
- He tamped down the tobacco in his favourite briar pipe.
American English
- They're replacing the old lead pipes in the neighborhood.
- The melody was played on the church organ's tin pipe.
verb
British English
- The council will pipe natural gas to the new estates next year.
- 'I know the answer!' she piped up from the back.
American English
- The software pipes the output directly into the database.
- Just pipe down and let me finish explaining.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The water comes through a pipe.
- My grandfather has a pipe.
- A workman is repairing a broken pipe under the street.
- Can you pipe the cream onto the cupcakes?
- The new legislation aims to pipe emissions away from residential areas.
- He piped a cheerful tune on his recorder.
- The data is piped through several encryption layers before storage.
- Her ambition to become an astronaut wasn't just a pipe dream.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PI(E) being pushed through a PIPE. Both have a circular shape.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANNELS ARE PIPES (e.g., 'pipe data to the server', 'pipeline of ideas').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'truba' (which can also mean trumpet or chimney). 'Pipe' is more specific to cylindrical conduits. The computing term 'pipe' is directly borrowed, not 'kanal'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tube' and 'pipe' interchangeably in technical specs (pipe is typically for conveyance, tube for structural/medical uses). Incorrect preposition: 'pipe in the server' instead of 'pipe to the server'.
Practice
Quiz
In computing, what does 'to pipe' data mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as a verb, it means to send the output of one program directly as input to another (e.g., in a command line: `cat file.txt | grep 'word'`). As a noun, it's the conduit for this data flow.
In engineering, 'pipes' are measured by internal diameter and are for conveying fluids/gases under pressure. 'Tubes' are measured by outside diameter and are often for structural applications. In everyday language, they are often used interchangeably.
Yes, 'to pipe up' means to start speaking suddenly, especially with a high or clear voice. 'To pipe down' is an idiom meaning to be quiet.
An unrealistically hopeful or fantastic idea, a plan that is impossible to achieve. The term originates from the dreams experienced when smoking opium.