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

They could really do with Ian Maatsen’s movement in behind, because at the moment too much of Villa’s play is funnelled through the excellent Morgan Rogers.

From BBC

He funneled nearly $9 million of his own money into his campaign, while his mother contributed another $1 million to an independent expenditure committee backing his election.

From Los Angeles Times

The handover comes seven years to the day since the ship was famously launched by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon with painted-on windows and plywood funnels.

From BBC

Government attorneys also said that Google's ownership and control of the Chrome browser - along with the Android operating system - have allowed it to funnel users to its search engine.

From BBC

The expected failure of the bill would mean an existing visa policy, which has been widely accused of exacerbating problems by funnelling most international students to a select few city-based universities, will remain in place.

From BBC

Related Words

• channel
• filter
• pour
• siphon
• transmit