conduit

American  

[kon-dwit, -doo-it, -dyoo-it, -dit] / ˈkɒn dwɪt, -du ɪt, -dyu ɪt, -dɪt /

noun

1. a pipe, tube, or the like, for conveying water or other fluid.

   Synonyms:

   channel, main, duct

2. a similar natural passage.

3. any means of transmission or conveyance, as of information.

   According to rumor, he served as a conduit for Israeli intelligence.

4. Electricity. a structure containing one or more ducts.

5. Archaic. a fountain.

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conduit British  

/ ˈkɒndɪt, -djʊɪt /

noun

1. a pipe or channel for carrying a fluid

2. a rigid tube or duct for carrying and protecting electrical wires or cables

3. an agency or means of access, communication, etc

4. botany a water-transporting element in a plant; a xylem vessel or a tracheid

5. a rare word for fountain

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Etymology

Origin of conduit

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English conduit, condut, condewit, condit, from Old French conduit, from Medieval Latin conductus “pipe channel”; conduce, duct

Example Sentences

He emerged as a key communications conduit between policymakers and financial markets.

From Barron's

He emerged as a key communications conduit between policymakers and financial markets, even as he became increasingly skeptical of some of the Fed's actions -- including interest rate cuts to help contain the damage.

From Barron's

Indian tax authorities rejected the claim and argued that the Mauritian firms served as conduits and were used only to avoid taxes, with no real business purpose.

From BBC

His skin started to tingle, like a light electric current was using him as a conduit.

From Literature

“The three primary conduits for sustained inflation are housing, labor and energy,” Dutta pointed out.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• duct
• pipe
• pipeline