pipeline

American  

[pahyp-lahyn] / ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport crude oil, natural gas, water, etc., especially over great distances.

2. a route, channel, or process along which something passes or is provided at a steady rate; means, system, or flow of supply or supplies.

   Freighters and cargo planes are a pipeline for overseas goods.

3. a channel of information, especially one that is direct, privileged, or confidential; inside source; reliable contact.

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verb (used with object)

pipelined, pipelining

1. to convey by or as if by pipeline.

   to pipeline oil from the far north to ice-free ports; to pipeline graduates into the top jobs.

idioms

1. in the pipeline,

   1. Informal. in the process of being developed, provided, or completed; in the works; under way.

   2. Government Informal. (of funds) authorized but not spent.

pipeline British  

/ ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a long pipe, esp underground, used to transport oil, natural gas, etc, over long distances

2. a medium of communication, esp a private one

3. in the process of being completed, delivered, or produced

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verb

1. to convey by pipeline

2. to supply with a pipeline

Etymology

Origin of pipeline

First recorded in 1855–60; pipe ¹ + line ¹

Example Sentences

Some of those restrictions have since been lifted, but customers are still fearful that the pipeline to their relatives could soon be cut off entirely.

From Barron's

TV provided a pipeline that could market wares directly to children rather than just through their parents.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even before the Supreme Court ruling, more tariffs were in the pipeline.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now a further agreement with Mr. Carney in November envisions a second pipeline, plus permits for large tankers to call at Canada’s western ports, plus certainty over taxes and anticarbon initiatives.

From The Wall Street Journal

I knew many people who traversed the L.A.-New York pipeline in both directions.

From Los Angeles Times

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