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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.


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

"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

verb

  1. to convey by pipeline

  2. to supply with a pipeline

"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 pipeline

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

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.

Carney, for his part, said he remains keen to diversify Canadian energy exports and that he stands ready to approve a new crude pipeline, so long as certain conditions are met.

From The Wall Street Journal

Banks are also set to capitalize on the expected surge in corporate takeover activity, as well as the pipeline of new listings expected to hit the market later this year.

From Barron's

Banks are also set to capitalize on the expected surge in corporate takeover activity, as well as the pipeline of new listings expected to hit the market later this year.

From Barron's

She and Canada PM Mark Carney agreed late last year to a set of conditions under which a new oil-carrying pipeline could be built to Canada’s Pacific Coast.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company has worked to soften the eventual loss of Keytruda by broadening its pipeline beyond oncology and lining up a steady flow of potential new products across vaccines, cardiovascular disease and other areas.

From The Wall Street Journal