pipeline

[ pahyp-lahyn ]

noun

1. a long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport crude oil, natural gas, water, etc., especially over great distances.
2. a route, channel, or process along which something passes or is provided at a steady rate; means, system, or flow of supply or supplies:

   Freighters and cargo planes are a pipeline for overseas goods.

3. a channel of information, especially one that is direct, privileged, or confidential; inside source; reliable contact.

verb (used with object)

, pipe·lined, pipe·lin·ing.

1. to convey by or as if by pipeline:

   to pipeline oil from the far north to ice-free ports; to pipeline graduates into the top jobs.

pipeline

/ ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a long pipe, esp underground, used to transport oil, natural gas, etc, over long distances
2. a medium of communication, esp a private one
3. in the pipeline
   in the process of being completed, delivered, or produced

verb

1. to convey by pipeline
2. to supply with a pipeline

Word History and Origins

Origin of pipeline¹

First recorded in 1855–60; pipe ¹ + line ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the pipeline,
   1. Informal. in the process of being developed, provided, or completed; in the works; under way.
   2. Government Informal. (of funds) authorized but not spent.

Example Sentences

The city built part of the infrastructure, including the pipeline and pump stations, in the 1990s, but the effort was derailed in 2000 when debate erupted over what opponents and newspaper headlines called a “toilet-to-tap” project.

From Los Angeles Times

Energy Transfer: The CEO of the firm behind the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline poured $5.8 million into Trump’s campaign and is likely to reap the benefits from the fossil-fuel-loving, environment-hating president.

From Slate

The refinery’s massive fuel storage tanks, distillation towers and sprawling pipeline have been a long-standing source of community concern.

From Los Angeles Times

The Wilmington refinery site, which is connected to Carson’s plant by a pipeline, may lend itself to housing.

From Los Angeles Times

After a major pipeline rupture five years ago, he started photographing and filming pools of oily water and heaps of blackened soil in locations in Unity State, including sites near Roriak, where the herders live.

From BBC

Related Words

• agenda
• almanac
• card
• chronology
• diary
• docket
• journal
• lineup
• list
• program
• table
• timetable