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

All the moments of loneliness and heartbreak that I’ve felt myself, I just funneled them into the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet our current system often funnels patients into expensive, sometimes unnecessary treatments.

From Salon

The risk was thought to increase toward the poles, where Earth’s magnetic field funnels solar storms.

From Science Magazine

Givhan plans to continue to grow the brand as organically as possible, recontextualizing the history of old garments and funneling them through the Compost lens.

From Los Angeles Times

Stolen funds are often funnelled into overseas accounts or cryptocurrency wallets.

From BBC

Related Words

• channel
• filter
• pour
• siphon
• transmit