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

Related Words

• channel
• filter
• pour
• siphon
• transmit