siphon

American  

[sahy-fuhn] / ˈsaɪ fən /

Or syphon

noun

1. a tube or conduit bent into legs of unequal length, for use in drawing a liquid from one container into another on a lower level by placing the shorter leg into the container above and the longer leg into the one below, the liquid being forced up the shorter leg and into the longer one by the pressure of the atmosphere.

2. siphon bottle.

3. a projecting tubular part of some animals, especially certain mollusks, through which liquid enters or leaves the body.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to convey, draw, or pass through or as if through a siphon (sometimes followed byoff ).

   to siphon water; to siphon off profits into a secret bank account.

siphon British  

/ saɪˈfɒnɪk, ˈsaɪfən /

noun

1. a tube placed with one end at a certain level in a vessel of liquid and the other end outside the vessel below this level, so that liquid pressure forces the liquid through the tube and out of the vessel by gravity

2. See soda siphon

3. zoology any of various tubular organs in different aquatic animals, such as molluscs and elasmobranch fishes, through which a fluid, esp water, passes

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verb

1. (often foll by off) to pass or draw off through or as if through a siphon

siphon Scientific  

/ sī′fən /

1. A pipe or tube in the form of an upside-down U, filled with liquid and arranged so that the pressure of the atmosphere forces liquid to flow upward from a container through the tube, over a barrier, and into a lower container.

2. A tubular animal part, as of a clam, through which water is taken in or expelled.

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Other Word Forms

• pseudosiphonal adjective
• pseudosiphonic adjective
• siphonage noun
• siphonal adjective
• siphonic adjective
• siphonless adjective
• siphonlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of siphon

1650–60; < Latin sīphōn- (stem of sīphō ) < Greek síphōn, sī́phōn pipe, tube

Example Sentences

U.S. officials had long been on alert to South Sudanese aid workers siphoning resources.

From Salon

New competitors began to siphon off market share, and fashion trends underwent a gradual shift to favor denim and workwear.

From Barron's

The Times identified at least 26 fairs statewide where, in the last decade, employees or appointed officials have been accused of siphoning taxpayer money, pressuring businesses for bribes or committing egregious mismanagement.

From Los Angeles Times

Up to today, many have siphoned their nascent scene fame into careers in music, choreography and media.

From Los Angeles Times

Using its pores for filtration, the stationary sponge creates its own currents to siphon its prey—as it must, if it is to feed and remain motionless.

From The Wall Street Journal