standpipe

[stand-pahyp]

noun

1. a vertical pipe or tower into which water is pumped to obtain a required head.

2. a water pipe for supplying the fire hoses of a building, connected with the water supply of the building and usually with a siamese outside the building.

standpipe

/ ˈstændˌpaɪp /

noun

1. a vertical pipe, open at the upper end, attached to a pipeline or tank serving to limit the pressure head to that of the height of the pipe

2. a temporary freshwater outlet installed in a street during a period when household water supplies are cut off

Word History and Origins

Origin of standpipe¹

First recorded in 1840–50; stand + pipe ¹

Example Sentences

Multiple water tankers have been filmed both day and night by local residents filling up from standpipes in part of neighbouring Hampshire where a drought order is in place.

From BBC

After prolonged dry and hot weather in the summer of 1976 water became so scarce that household supplies were shut off and standpipes were introduced.

From BBC

Its caretakers had firefighting equipment, hoses and standpipes at the ready to draw water across different points of the property.

From Los Angeles Times

Panoche district employees modified the leaking standpipe so it could be opened and closed, according to the plea agreement documents, allowing for water to be drawn from the Delta-Mendota Canal on demand and undetected.

From Los Angeles Times

The drain pipe or standpipe that the hose empties into might be partially plugged.

From Washington Post