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

Over that time, more than $1 billion has gone unclaimed, she said, “and that all funnels to schools.”

From Los Angeles Times

Up until now, Helen’s life as a spy has been a quiet one, routinely funneling information gleaned or stolen from her husband to Mrs. Reed.

From Los Angeles Times

He also raised doubts that a donation of that size would be possible if funnelled via the UK arm of Mr Musk’s X social media site, formerly known as Twitter.

From BBC

Cureus has shuttered six of its “academic channels” that critics say were covers for paper mills to funnel questionable articles into the publication, the Retraction Watch integrity blog reported last week.

From Science Magazine

Reviewing the ad spending from the Harris campaign, it’s clear that the bulk of the money was funneled through firms run or owned by Democratic Party insiders.

From Salon

Related Words

• channel
• filter
• pour
• siphon
• transmit