pipeline

[ pahyp-lahyn ]
/ ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn /

noun

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., especially over great distances.
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.
a channel of information, especially one that is direct, privileged, or confidential; inside source; reliable contact.

verb (used with object), pipe·lined, pipe·lin·ing.

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.

Idioms for pipeline

    in the pipeline,
    1. Informal. in the process of being developed, provided, or completed; in the works; under way.
    2. Government Informal. (of funds) authorized but not spent.

Origin of pipeline

First recorded in 1855–60; pipe1 + line1

Example sentences from the Web for pipeline

British Dictionary definitions for pipeline

pipeline
/ (ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn) /

noun

a long pipe, esp underground, used to transport oil, natural gas, etc, over long distances
a medium of communication, esp a private one
in the pipeline in the process of being completed, delivered, or produced

verb (tr)

to convey by pipeline
to supply with a pipeline