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
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 2019 Two big chocolate chip cookies filled with vanilla ice cream and deep fried in funnel cake batter. Topped with powdered sugar and chocolate sauce. — Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, "Here's everything you need to know about the 2019 Indiana State Fair," 15 July 2019 In essence, the immediate Denver area becomes a funnel for converging winds, leading to some of Denver’s hyper-local and crazy weather — that often can be difficult to predict. — Chris Bianchi, The Denver Post, "What parts of Colorado see the most lightning?," 22 July 2019 To urinate, astronauts pee in a vacuum funnel in a high-tech porta potty. — Daniel Oberhaus, WIRED, "Here’s What a $52 Million Ticket to the ISS Will Get You," 11 June 2019 Allen and colleagues collected microplastics over a period of five months at a meteorological station about 4,500 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level using atmospheric deposition catchers that look like tall funnels. — Stephen Leahy, National Geographic, "Microplastics are raining down from the sky," 15 Apr. 2019 The coaster will stretch around Carnival’s iconic red funnel, offering riders 360-degree views of the water 187 feet above sea level. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, "Carnival Cruise Line's New Ship Will Feature the World's First Roller Coaster at Sea," 19 June 2019 The tool comes in three parts: a funnel, base, and top that stack on top of each other. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "High-design coffee maker looks like a ceramic pot," 12 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
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. 2019 The state budget boosts aid to UMass by $39 million over last year, with most of that increase being funneled into labor costs associated with collective bargaining agreements. — Michael P. Norton, BostonGlobe.com, "UMass tuition likely to increase 2.5%, president says," 25 July 2019 Proceeds would be funneled right back into the Pendleton neighborhood. — Andrea Reeves, Cincinnati.com, "How this neighborhood tricycle-racing party continues to grow up without growing up," 23 July 2019 The payment to McDougal was funneled through Trump-friendly AMI. — Fortune, "Records Detail Frenetic Effort to Bury Stories About Trump," 18 July 2019 When the land west of the Mississippi River was opened to white settlement by the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux in 1851, the hordes of pioneers who flocked to the Dakotas and western Minnesota were funneled through St. Paul. — Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, "St. Paul owes its existence to the Mississippi River," 22 June 2019 As part of the cease-fire agreement, revenue from the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa will be funneled to the Central Bank, which the government moved from the capital, San’a, to the southern city of Aden in 2016. — Dion Nissenbaum, WSJ, "Yemen Foes Agree on Cease-Fire Amid U.S. Pressure," 13 Dec. 2018 If barley becomes too scarce, more of it will be funneled to livestock, since beer is technically a luxury good. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Barley shortages from climate change could mean less beer worldwide," 15 Oct. 2018 That information will then be funneled into a global database for use by scientists. — Alex Stuckey, Houston Chronicle, "NASA is building models to predict mosquito-borne illnesses and you can help them do it," 3 July 2018These 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)