pipe
gb/pˈaɪp/ us/pˈaɪp/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Hollow tube for fluids or gases
A long, hollow tube that moves water, gas, or other things from one place to another.
Usage pattern:
a [material] pipe
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pipe' with 'tube' or 'hose'; 'pipe' often refers to fixed systems for water or gas, while 'hose' is flexible.
Synonyms
tube (A general word for a hollow cylinder; not always used for carrying substances over distances like 'pipe'.)
Antonyms
solid rod (The opposite in physical form; not hollow and cannot carry substances inside.)
Collocations
water pipe
|gas pipe
|leaking pipe
|underground pipe
|metal pipe
Themes
construction
|plumbing
|engineering
|technology
|science
Examples
- The plumber replaced the old water pipe in the kitchen.
- A gas pipe burst under the street, causing an evacuation.
- They laid a new underground pipe to supply water to the village.
- Steam escaped from a cracked pipe in the factory.
- The metal pipe was rusted through.
Learner examples
- The water comes through a pipe.
- A pipe carries gas to the stove.
- He fixed the broken pipe.
- There is a pipe under the sink.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Device for smoking tobacco
An object you use to smoke tobacco. It has a small bowl and a long tube.
Usage pattern:
smoke a pipe
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'pipe' with 'cigarette'; a pipe is reusable and has a bowl, while a cigarette is disposable.
Synonyms
hookah (A type of water pipe used for smoking flavored tobacco; culturally and structurally different.)
Collocations
smoke a pipe
|tobacco pipe
|wooden pipe
Themes
daily life
|recreation
|daily_life
|health
Examples
- He sat on the porch smoking his pipe.
- The old man polished his favorite tobacco pipe.
- She bought him a new wooden pipe for his birthday.
Learner examples
- He likes to smoke a pipe.
- The man cleans his pipe.
- This is my father's pipe.
Verb
B1
action
3
Send through pipes or tubes
To send something like water or gas through a long tube.
Usage pattern:
pipe [something] [somewhere]
Synonyms
channel (A more general term for directing something along a path; not limited to physical pipes.)
Collocations
pipe water into
|pipe gas to
|pipe music through
Themes
construction
|engineering
|technology
|science
Examples
- They piped hot water into the building from a central boiler.
- Music was piped through speakers into every room.
- Gas is piped directly to each apartment.
Learner examples
- They pipe water into the house.
- The hotel pipes music into the lobby.
- Gas is piped to the kitchen.
Verb
B2
action
4
Play a wind instrument with pipes
To make music by blowing air into an instrument with pipes.
Usage pattern:
pipe [a tune/song]
Synonyms
play (More general; does not specify the type of instrument.)
Collocations
pipe a tune
|pipe someone aboard
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The piper piped a lively tune as the parade began.
- They piped the sailors aboard the ship using a boatswain's call.
- She piped softly on her flute.
Learner examples
- He piped a song on the flute.
- The man piped music for the dance.
- They piped to welcome the guests.
Verb
informal
B2
action
5
Speak suddenly in high voice
To speak quickly in a high voice without warning.
Usage pattern:
pipe up with [something]
Synonyms
chirp (Informal; suggests short, quick speech often in a cheerful tone.)
Antonyms
stay silent (Opposite in that it means not speaking at all.)
Collocations
pipe up
Themes
communication
Examples
- She piped up with an idea during the meeting.
- 'I can help!' he piped suddenly from the back of the room.
- A child piped in with a funny comment.
Learner examples
- He piped up with a question.
- She piped up and said hello.
- The boy piped up during class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pipe
IPA
GB/pˈaɪp/
US/pˈaɪp/
Syllables & stress
pipe (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pipe)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pipe
- Plural: pipes
Verb
- Base: pipe
- 3rd Person Singular: pipes
- Present Participle: piping
- Past: piped
Word family
Forms
pipes
noun
piping
verb
piped
verb
Related words
pipeline
noun B1
piper
noun
Advanced or less common
pipework
noun
Expressions
pipe down
1/pˈaɪp dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
informal
Be quiet or stop talking
To stop talking or making noise.
Examples
- The teacher told the students to pipe down so class could begin.
- Hey, you two in the back—pipe down!
pipe up
1/pˈaɪp ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
informal
Speak suddenly, often interrupting
To speak suddenly, especially when you were quiet before.
Examples
- She finally piped up with her opinion.
- I was quiet until I piped up about the problem.
put that in your pipe and smoke it
1/pˈʊt ðˈæt ˈɪn jˈʊɹ pˈaɪp ˈænd smˈoʊk ˈɪt/
idiom
informal
Accept unpleasant fact or truth
Accept something you don't like but can't change.
Examples
- I got the promotion instead of you—put that in your pipe and smoke it!
- He's better than you at chess, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.
smoke the peace pipe
1/smˈoʊk ðə pˈis pˈaɪp/
idiom
Make peace after conflict
To end an argument and be friendly again.
Examples
- After years of rivalry, they decided to smoke the peace pipe.
- It's time we smoked the peace pipe and moved on.