downpipe

[ doun-pahyp ]

noun

, British.

1. downspout.

downpipe

/ ˈdaʊnˌpaɪp /

noun

1. a pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof gutter to the ground or to a drain Also calledrainwater pipedrainpipe Usual US and Canadian namedownspout

Word History and Origins

Origin of downpipe¹

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

Example Sentences

For example, if repairs were needed to a downpipe, there’d be a lot of discussion about “the way Mike used to do it.”

From Literature

He drilled a hole in the downpipe and fired the hose down.

From BBC

The water flowed through the building on the outside of the downpipe.

From BBC

No one had ever really seen these books, but hearsay had it that they were worth thousands of pounds and, if ever Gavin wanted to have his dream and live in a proper house with a proper downpipe and spouting and taps inside and waste pipes under the sink and hot water, why, all he’d need to do was sell his books.

From The New Yorker

His dwelling now was a hut with a hole in the roof to satisfy the needs of smoke wanting to go out, and with old bulging beer barrels, corseted by rusty iron hoops, placed at strategic points around the outside walls, to act as downpipe and spouting.

From The New Yorker