funnel
noun
fun·nel
| \ ˈfə-nᵊl
\
\
Definition of funnel
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a utensil that is usually a hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct a downward flow
b
: something shaped like a funnel
2
: a stack or flue for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)
funnel
verb
funneled
also funnelled;
funneling
also funnelling
Definition of funnel (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to have or take the shape of a funnel
2
: to pass through or as if through a funnel or conduit
the crowd funnels through the doors
1
: to form in the shape of a funnel
funneled his hands and shouted through them
2
: to move to a focal point or into a conduit or central channel
contributions were funneled into one account
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Synonyms for funnel
Synonyms: Verb
canalize, channel, channelize, conduct, direct, pipe, siphon (also syphon)
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Examples of funnel in a Sentence
Noun
the funnel cloud of a tornadoVerb
Winds funneled through the canyon. Smoke funneled up the chimney. The crowd funneled through the doors. He funneled the gas into the tank. They funneled money into the campaign. The information was being secretly funneled to the head of the organization.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Lee has been attending the carnival for about 30 years and, according to her, her favorite part is the funnel cake. — Akira Kyles, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Hampstead bringing Carroll County carnival season to a close," 13 Aug. 2019 In 2003, John Kerry, the eventual Democratic nominee, managed to avoid every stall selling Iowa’s mouthwatering pork, funnel cakes, glistening sausages and local craft beer. — J.f. | Des Moines, The Economist, "Nearly two dozen presidential candidates descend on Iowa," 9 Aug. 2019 Not to mention ice cream, funnel cakes and the $5 churro. — Los Angeles Times, "Four Hours: Exploring the newly relocated kids’ museum, now in Santa Monica," 9 Aug. 2019 Judging by the hashtags on his tweet, the 41-year-old actor was grazing through State Fair like everybody else, noshing on deep-fried Oreos, funnel cakes, corn dogs and cheese curds. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'That '70s Show' actor Topher Grace hears 'Hello Wisconsin!' at State Fair," 5 Aug. 2019 On Sunday afternoon, as the Gilroy Garlic Festival was wrapping up, a woman came to Dave Davies’ booth in search of funnel cakes. — Erin Woo, The Mercury News, "Shooting investigation leaves Garlic Festival vendors stranded in Gilroy," 30 July 2019 Rapids also has two concession stands, an ice cream parlor and food stands that sell funnel cakes, slushies and Dippin’ Dots. — Doreen Christensen, sun-sentinel.com, "Rapids Water Park celebrates its 40th anniversary with special events, deals | SummerTimeOut," 28 June 2019 Then spoon the sand into the paper funnel, filling the water bottle all the way up with dry sand. — Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, "Make Water Disappear--With the Wet-Sand Effect," 25 July 2019 This graphic explains the differences between landspouts and cold air funnels. — Chris Bianchi, The Denver Post, "Rare funnel cloud spotted near Rocky Mountain National Park," 25 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Over the past several months, investigators unraveled the drug operation, which centered around the two men living in New Jersey, who authorities say were regularly funneling lookalike oxycodone pills into northern Delaware. — Brittany Horn, USA TODAY, "Drug bust nets huge haul of heroin and fake oxycodone pills in Delaware," 29 Aug. 2019 The fire, reported at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday, was funneling out of every first-floor window when firefighters arrived, Widomski said. — Anchorage Daily News, "5 children killed in fire at Pennsylvania care center," 12 Aug. 2019 The fire, reported at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday, was funneling out of every first-floor window when firefighters arrived, Widomski said. — CBS News, "Pennsylvania firefighter loses 3 kids in day care blaze that killed 5 children," 12 Aug. 2019 The fire, reported at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday, was funneling out of every first-floor window when firefighters arrived, Widomski said. — Fox News, "5 children killed in fire at Pa. day care center, ‘trying to figure out how this happened’," 12 Aug. 2019 The fire, reported at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday, was funneling out of every first-floor window when firefighters arrived, Widomski said. — chicagotribune.com, "5 children killed in fire at Pennsylvania day care center," 11 Aug. 2019 The decisions effectively close the case from a legal perspective, while leaving in place loopholes that allow casino owners to funnel money and perks to the officials who regulate them. — Tony Cook, Indianapolis Star, "Inspector general OKs casino boss's private flights for Gov. Eric Holcomb," 8 Aug. 2019 Immigration experts say the 1994 initiative funneled would-be migrants into Arizona by strengthening enforcement at major border crossings. — Jeff Karoub, The Seattle Times, "Project exploring migrant deaths in US aims to go global," 29 Mar. 2019 The cash was funnelled through shell companies around the world and frittered away on yachts, artworks, diamonds and other fripperies. — The Economist, "Malaysia charges 17 Goldman Sachs executives," 15 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'funnel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for funnel
funnel
noun
English Language Learners Definition of funnel
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a device shaped like a hollow cone with a tube extending from the point
: something that is shaped like a funnel
: a large pipe on a ship through which smoke or steam comes out
funnel
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of funnel (Entry 2 of 2)
: to pass through a funnel or a narrow opening
: to send (something, such as money) to someone or something in usually an indirect or secret way
See the full definition for funnel in the English Language Learners Dictionary
funnel
noun
fun·nel
| \ ˈfə-nᵊl
\
\
Kids Definition of funnel
1
: a utensil usually shaped like a hollow cone with a tube extending from the point and used to catch and direct a downward flow
2
: a large pipe for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)