standpipe

[ stand-pahyp ]

noun

1. a vertical pipe or tower into which water is pumped to obtain a required head.
2. a water pipe for supplying the fire hoses of a building, connected with the water supply of the building and usually with a siamese outside the building.

standpipe

/ ˈstændˌpaɪp /

noun

1. a vertical pipe, open at the upper end, attached to a pipeline or tank serving to limit the pressure head to that of the height of the pipe
2. a temporary freshwater outlet installed in a street during a period when household water supplies are cut off

Word History and Origins

Origin of standpipe¹

First recorded in 1840–50; stand + pipe ¹

Example Sentences

Panoche district employees modified the leaking standpipe so it could be opened and closed, according to the plea agreement documents, allowing for water to be drawn from the Delta-Mendota Canal on demand and undetected.

From Los Angeles Times

The drain pipe or standpipe that the hose empties into might be partially plugged.

From Washington Post

After learning about the leak, Falaschi allegedly told a water district employee to install a new gate inside the standpipe, which could be opened and closed on demand, the document stated.

From Los Angeles Times

Citizens have to go out into the streets to find water standpipes and fill up receptacles just to flush their loos.

From BBC

It’s surprising how beautiful they are, considering that their original purpose, before Johnson liberated them from Manhattan buildings, was to prevent passers-by from sitting on protruding standpipes.

From New York Times