funnel

[ fuhn-l ]

noun

1. a cone-shaped utensil with a tube at the apex for conducting liquid or other substance through a small opening, as into a bottle, jug, or the like.
2. a smokestack, especially of a steamship.
3. a flue, tube, or shaft, as for ventilation.
4. Eastern New England. a stovepipe.

verb (used with object)

, fun·neled, fun·nel·ing or (especially British) fun·nelled, fun·nel·ling.

1. to concentrate, channel, or focus:

   They funneled all income into research projects.

2. to pour through or as if through a funnel.

verb (used without object)

, fun·neled, fun·nel·ing or (especially British) fun·nelled, fun·nel·ling.

1. to pass through or as if through a funnel.

funnel

/ ˈfʌnəl /

noun

1. a hollow utensil with a wide mouth tapering to a small hole, used for pouring liquids, powders, etc, into a narrow-necked vessel
2. something resembling this in shape or function
3. a smokestack for smoke and exhaust gases, as on a steamship or steam locomotive
4. a shaft or tube, as in a building, for ventilation

verb

1. to move or cause to move or pour through or as if through a funnel
2. to concentrate or focus or be concentrated or focused in a particular direction

   they funnelled their attention on the problem

3. intr to take on a funnel-like shape

Derived Forms

• ˈfunnel-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• funnel·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of funnel¹

1375–1425; late Middle English fonel < Old Provençal fonilh ( Gascon ) < Vulgar Latin *fundibulum, for Latin infundibulum, derivative of infundere to pour in

Word History and Origins

Origin of funnel¹

C15: from Old Provençal fonilh , ultimately from Latin infundibulum funnel, hopper (in a mill), from infundere to pour in

Example Sentences

If your lead-generating article attracts the crowd that is not that deep into the sales funnel, you may be setting yourself for failure.

From Search Engine Watch

“We’re seeing more opportunities and we can say this type of story-driven approach to content works at every aspect of the funnel,” said Burrell-Stinson.

From Digiday

The sequential messaging drives also high-quality leads as they guide the user down through the funnel to convert.

From Search Engine Watch

The most important pages of your site are the bottom of the funnel pages that urge visitors to make a purchase.

From Search Engine Watch

You can use analytics software to set up funnels that show the process that your audience goes through before deciding to buy your product.

From Search Engine Watch

ISIS is able to funnel about 30 to 50 suicide bombers a month into Iraq.

From The Daily Beast

So why, then, is Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel lobbying the Illinois legislature to funnel more people into prison for longer?

From The Daily Beast

Basically, Time Warner Cable agreed to funnel more cash to CBS.

From The Daily Beast

The funnel was roaring in the depths of the woods; William boldly pursued it for another half mile.

From The Daily Beast

The funnel swerved off the road and came sweeping up the hillside toward them.

From The Daily Beast

"Which has advanced——" That wave hove green water over the funnel.

From Project Gutenberg

Beyond the skylight rose the bright brass funnel of the cabin chimney, and the winch, by means of which the lantern was hoisted.

From Project Gutenberg

As in the tornadoes, the waterspout begins with a funnel, which descends from the sky to the surface of the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

When cool, it may be filtered through a funnel lined with filtering paper.

From Project Gutenberg

A thin wreath of smoke curled out of the funnel in his cabin, and they knew he was getting a meal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• channel
• filter
• pour
• siphon
• transmit