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

Gilead says its purchase of the biotechnology company that develops next-generation antibody-drug conjugates or ADCs, builds on Gilead’s oncology pipeline, focused on addressing areas of high unmet need.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Lower levels of immigration, along with deportations, have cut off a pipeline of often young residents who come to the country specifically to work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

“Bringing this potential into Gilead would further expand what is already the strongest and most diverse pipeline in our company’s history,” said Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day in a statement.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

To prevent shortages, Hungary has been forced to release fuel reserves and import non-Russian oil through an alternative pipeline from Croatia.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

“These tissues enter a pipeline of millions of other samples,” he said.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

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