pipeline
gb/pˈaɪplˌaɪn/ us/pˈaɪplˌaɪn/
B1
English
~ 4400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
system of pipes for transport
A set of pipes that moves liquid or gas from one place to another.
Usage pattern:
a pipeline carries [something] from [place] to [place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pipeline' with 'pipe', but 'pipeline' usually refers to an entire system rather than a single tube.
Synonyms
conduit (More formal or technical term for a channel that carries fluids, sometimes used metaphorically.)
Antonyms
open channel (Carries fluids in an open trough rather than through closed pipes.)
Collocations
oil pipeline
|gas pipeline
|water pipeline
|pipeline network
|pipeline construction
Themes
engineering
|energy
|transport
|transportation
|science
Examples
- The company built a new pipeline to deliver gas to the city.
- An oil spill occurred after the pipeline burst.
- The water supply depends on a pipeline from the mountains.
Learner examples
- The pipeline carries water to the town.
- A gas pipeline runs under the road.
- They are fixing the old oil pipeline.
Noun
B2
entity
2
planned process stages
A number of steps planned to make something happen, especially in work or projects.
Usage pattern:
[something] is in the pipeline
Common mistake:
Learners may take 'in the pipeline' literally when it often means 'being prepared or developed'.
Synonyms
workflow (Focuses more on the order of tasks than on the future availability aspect.)
Antonyms
completed work (Refers to tasks that are finished rather than still in progress.)
Collocations
project pipeline
|sales pipeline
|development pipeline
|pipeline of products
Themes
business
|technology
|planning
|work
Examples
- Several new games are in the company's development pipeline.
- We have a strong sales pipeline for next quarter.
- The project is still in the early stages of the pipeline.
Learner examples
- The new phone is in the pipeline.
- We have many ideas in the project pipeline.
- A new law is in the pipeline.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
processing stages chain
A set of steps that handle data or materials, where each step uses the result from the one before it.
Synonyms
process chain (Less technical term; used outside computing as well.)
Antonyms
single-step process (Does not involve multiple connected stages.)
Collocations
data pipeline
|processing pipeline
|software pipeline
Themes
technology
|computing
|manufacturing
|science
Examples
- The software uses a data pipeline to process information efficiently.
- In manufacturing, the assembly line acts as a type of pipeline.
- The graphics pipeline handles rendering tasks in stages.
Learner examples
- The computer program has a data pipeline.
- A factory uses a pipeline to make cars.
- The video game has a graphics pipeline.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pipeline
IPA
GB/pˈaɪplˌaɪn/
US/pˈaɪplˌaɪn/
Syllables & stress
pipeline (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pipeline)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pipeline
- Plural: pipelines
Word family
Forms
pipelines
noun
Core family
pipe
noun A2
Related words
piping
noun
Advanced or less common
pipelining
noun
Expressions
in the pipeline
1/ˈɪn ðə pˈaɪplˌaɪn/
fixed phrase
being prepared or developed
Being made or planned and will be ready later.
Examples
- Several new policies are in the pipeline for next year.
- There's a big project in the pipeline at our office.