funnel

American  

[fuhn-l] / ˈfʌn 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.

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verb (used with object)

funneled, funneling, funnelled, funnelling

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)

funneled, funneling, funnelled, funnelling

1. to pass through or as if through a funnel.

funnel British  

/ 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

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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

Other Word Forms

• funnel-like adjective
• funnellike adjective

Etymology

Origin of funnel

1375–1425; late Middle English fonel < Old Provençal fonilh ( Gascon ) < Vulgar Latin *fundibulum, for Latin infundibulum, derivative of infundere to pour in

Example Sentences

Researchers focused on identifying the exact position of Saturn's cusp -- a region where magnetic field lines bend back toward the poles and allow charged particles to funnel into the atmosphere.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Newman called the Neo a “strategic on-ramp product” that can “expand the funnel of users who can then be monetized through Apple’s higher-margin services platform.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

The plan was to funnel the ball to one of Duke’s worst foul-shooters and hack him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Scientists are interested in these areas of deep water and steep mountains because they can funnel nutrient-rich water up to the surface, providing feeding grounds for animals or as fishing spots.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

I could see her broadside on from here, the red underwater section showing against the black of the top-sides, and the single funnel leaning rakishly towards the cliffs beyond.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

• channel
• filter
• pour
• siphon
• transmit