pipeline

[pahyp-lahyn]

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.

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.

pipeline

/ 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

verb

1. to convey by pipeline

2. to supply with a pipeline

Word History and Origins

Origin of pipeline¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Ms. Hochul has approved a pipeline to carry natural gas fracked in Pennsylvania to New York City and Long Island.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead of the refugee resettlement pipeline, most came as students, workers or to reunite with family.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The chip maker’s order pipeline indicates demand will continue to exceed supply in the near term, with revenue growth over coming quarters largely dependent on how quickly capacity can expand, they say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The company’s strength lies in its diversification, with its portfolio of more than 30 products and an extensive pipeline across hematology, oncology, cardiology, immunology, and neuroscience.

Read more on Barron's

Italy's top appeals court has ruled that a Ukrainian man suspected of involvement in blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany should be extradited to Berlin.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• agenda 
• almanac 
• card 
• chronology 
• diary 
• docket 
• journal 
• lineup 
• list 
• program 
• table 
• timetable