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)

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• funnellike adjective
• funnel-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

Its attempts to funnel capital into foreign direct investment or mergers and acquisitions are exposing Beijing to growing political controversy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The watery funnel looks speckled with stars, like a portal to a deep, dark place.

Read more on Literature

The private, nonprofit corporation provided funding to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, but the bulk of its money was funneled to local stations around the country and other grantees.

Read more on Salon

Now, a coalition of students, academics and alumni are highlighting a growing buzzword: “career funneling”—and debating its merits.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Flog Gnaw is known for its eclectic booking and a carnival-like atmosphere complete with games, rides and funnel cakes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• channel 
• filter 
• pour 
• siphon 
• transmit