tube

[ toob, tyoob ]

/ tub, tyub /

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See synonyms for: tube / tubing on Thesaurus.com

noun

a hollow, usually cylindrical body of metal, glass, rubber, or other material, used especially for conveying or containing liquids or gases.

a small, collapsible, cylinder of metal or plastic sealed at one end and having a capped opening at the other from which paint, toothpaste, or some other semifluid substance may be squeezed.

Anatomy, Zoology. any hollow, cylindrical vessel or organ: the bronchial tubes.

Botany.

any hollow, elongated body or part.
the united lower portion of a gamopetalous corolla or a gamosepalous calyx.

inner tube.

Electronics. electron tube.

Informal.

television.
a television set.

mailing tube.

the tubular tunnel in which an underground railroad runs.

the railroad itself.

Surfing Slang. the curled hollow formed on the underside of a cresting wave.

British. subway (def. 1).

Australian Slang. a can of beer.

Older Slang. a telescope.

verb (used with object), tubed, tub·ing.

to furnish with a tube or tubes.

to convey or enclose in a tube.

to form into the shape of a tube; make tubular.

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Idioms about tube

down the tube / tubes, Informal. into a ruined, wasted, or abandoned state or condition.

Origin of tube

First recorded in 1590–1600, tube is from the Latin word tubus pipe

OTHER WORDS FROM tube

tubeless, adjectivetubelike, adjectivemul·ti·tube, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tube in a sentence

As the tubes expand and contract, they stretch the fabric across someone’s skin.
This artificial skin feels ‘ghosts’ — things you wish were there|Stephen Ornes|November 20, 2020|Science News For Students
The tube is placed over the shaft, and the spearfisherman holds on to the tube and releases the spear.
Take a stab at spearfishing with these tips|Same Romano/Outdoor Life|November 16, 2020|Popular-Science
When the test site is dormant, that tube can fill back up with air.
The first hyperloop passengers just took a short but important ride|Rob Verger|November 11, 2020|Popular-Science
Oscillating sprinklers have a tube with holes in it that moves side-to-side to create a fan pattern that covers a larger, rectangular area.
Sprinklers to keep lawns fresh|PopSci Commerce Team|October 30, 2020|Popular-Science

If the brand name was printed on the tube, there'd be no question.
Hints From Heloise: Sanitizing and disinfecting aren’t the same thing|Heloise Heloise|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
It has been carefully tubed and christened the United States.
Saratoga and How to See It|R. F. Dearborn
At the recent retubing two streams were found and carefully tubed, one of which discharges sixty gallons per minute.
Saratoga and How to See It|R. F. Dearborn
The spring was discovered several years ago, but only recently was it tubed so as to be available.
Saratoga and How to See It|R. F. Dearborn
This fountain was the first tubed in this mineral valley, being opened by Gideon Putnam, in 1806.
Saratoga and How to See It|R. F. Dearborn
When the rock was reached two streams were found issuing from a fissure; one of them was tubed, and water rose to the surface.
Saratoga and How to See It|R. F. Dearborn

British Dictionary definitions for tube

tube

/ (tjuːb) /

noun

a long hollow and typically cylindrical object, used for the passage of fluids or as a container

a collapsible cylindrical container of soft metal or plastic closed with a cap, used to hold viscous liquids or pastes

anatomy

short for Eustachian tube, Fallopian tube
any hollow cylindrical structure

botany

the lower part of a gamopetalous corolla or gamosepalous calyx, below the lobes
any other hollow structure in a plant

the tube British

Also called: the underground an underground railway systemUS and Canadian equivalent: subway
the tunnels through which the railway runs
the train itself
(capital) trademark the London underground railway system

electronics

another name for valve (def. 3)
See electron tube, cathode-ray tube, television tube

the tube slang a television set

British slang a stupid or despicable person

Australian slang a bottle or can of beer

surfing the cylindrical passage formed when a wave breaks and the crest tips forward

an archaic word for telescope

verb (tr)

to fit or supply with a tube or tubes

to carry or convey in a tube

to shape like a tube

Derived forms of tube

tubeless, adjectivetube-like, adjective

Word Origin for tube

C17: from Latin tubus

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with tube

tube

see down the tubes.

tube

Idioms about tube

Origin of tube

OTHER WORDS FROM tube

Words related to tube

How to use tube in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tube

Derived forms of tube

Word Origin for tube

Other Idioms and Phrases with tube