inner tube

American

noun

a doughnut-shaped, flexible rubber tube inflated inside a tire to bear the weight of a vehicle.

inner tube British

noun

an inflatable rubber tube that fits inside a pneumatic tyre casing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of inner tube

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Teaser videos include depictions of babies on water skis and a runway model whose dress features an inner tube and giant cigarette butts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

Consider the analogy of trying to capture a 3D image of a child wearing an inner tube around their waist.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2024

Glover said she and her husband, who was at the helm of the pontoon boat towing their son’s inner tube, saw Hubbard racing toward them.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2023

Kile Glover, her 11-year-old son with Bounce TV founder Ryan Glover, died in July 2012 after a personal watercraft struck the boy as he floated in an inner tube on the lake.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2023

El Tirindaro takes Enrique on the inner tube along the bank as he collects the clothing.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023