spigot
Low-FrequencyTechnical, Everyday (esp. US), Sometimes Informal
Definition
Meaning
A small plug or peg used to stop the vent of a cask; more generally, a tap or faucet, typically one controlling the flow from a pipe or barrel.
A source from which something, especially information or money, is released or controlled; a controlling point or device in a system.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word often refers to a specific type of tap, particularly one with a male thread that inserts into a socket or 'faucet'. In British English, 'tap' is the everyday hypernym. The extended metaphorical sense of a source or control point is common in business/financial contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the US, 'spigot' is a common, everyday synonym for 'outdoor faucet' or a simple tap. In the UK, it is a more technical/archaic term, often associated with barrels, casks, or specific plumbing fixtures.
Connotations
US: Utilitarian, simple fixture. UK: Often antiquated, rustic, or technical.
Frequency
Far more common in US English. A British speaker would typically use 'tap' or 'faucet' in contexts where an American would say 'spigot'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
attach X to the spigotturn the spigot {on/off}a spigot for Ythe spigot [of information/funding] is [open/closed]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “turn on the money spigot”
- “the spigot is running”
- “shut off the spigot”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically for funding or information flow: 'The central bank closed the liquidity spigot.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/technical descriptions of plumbing or brewing.
Everyday
Common in US English for an outdoor water faucet: 'Hose is attached to the spigot.'
Technical
Plumbing: a male pipe end that fits into a socket. Brewing/cooperage: a plug for a cask.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He spigoted the cask carefully.
American English
- They need to spigot the new line to the main pipe.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I turned the spigot and water came out.
- The hose is on the spigot.
- The garden spigot is leaking and needs a new washer.
- They attached the hose to the outdoor spigot.
- After the investment, the money spigot was opened, and the project moved quickly.
- The old barrel had a wooden spigot to draw the cider.
- The regulator's decision effectively turned off the spigot of venture capital for the sector.
- The spigot's male thread must match the socket's female thread precisely.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pig getting water from a SPIGOT. The pig drinks from the outdoor SPIGOT.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROL IS OPENING/CLOSING A VALVE; SOURCE IS A CONTAINER WITH A TAP.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не 'спикер' (speaker). Не 'скоба' (bracket). Ложный друг. Правильный перевод: 'кран' (но чаще для уличного/простого крана), 'втулка', 'пробка'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'spigot' with 'faucet' (faucet is the whole fitting; spigot is often the projecting part). Misspelling as 'spicket' (common but non-standard).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'spigot' MOST commonly used in US English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In US everyday use, they are often synonymous. Technically, the faucet is the whole assembly; the spigot can be the projecting part (the tap itself) that fits into a socket.
Yes, but it's less common and often sounds technical or old-fashioned. The default word is 'tap'.
It refers to a point of control for the release or flow of something abstract, like money, information, or resources (e.g., 'the spigot of government aid').
No, 'spicket' is a common misspelling. The correct spelling is always 'spigot'.