Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

pipe line

 - 3 dictionary results

pipe⋅line

[pahyp-lahyn] noun, verb, -lined, -lin⋅ing.
–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., esp. 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, esp. one that is direct, privileged, or confidential; inside source; reliable contact.
–verb (used with object)
4. 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.
5. in the pipeline,
a. Informal. in the process of being developed, provided, or completed; in the works; under way.
b. Government Informal. (of funds) authorized but not spent.

Origin:
1855–60; pipe 1 + line 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pipe line
Word Origin & History

pipeline 
1873, "continuous line of pipes," from pipe + line. Fig. sense of "channel of communication" is from 1921; surfer slang meaning "hollow part of a large wave" is attested by 1963.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Financial Dictionary

pipeline

The process through which security issues pass before their distribution to the public. If securities are being readied for distribution, they are said to be in the pipeline.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see pipe line on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: