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 Vision 2023 plan, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, includes funnelling money into sectors such as tourism, entertainment, and sports.

From BBC

The problem was being fuelled by people turning away from traditional journalism towards social media influencers, she said, and then being funnelled towards misinformation, conspiracy theories, and far-right politics.

From BBC

But as algorithms funnel audiences deeper into formless background listening, Sunday’s show was a reminder that chill can be compelling.

From Los Angeles Times

“As that gets a little bit closer … that could funnel more moisture in.”

From Los Angeles Times

While Andrews Jr did not show signs of his illicit wealth through "flash cars or expensive designer clothes", police thought he was funnelling his drug cash into building a new home on secluded land.

From BBC

Related Words

• channel 
• filter 
• pour 
• siphon 
• transmit