funnel

1 of 2

noun

fun·​nel ˈfə-nᵊl 

1

a

: 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

2 of 2

verb

funneled also funnelled; funneling also funnelling

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

Verb

• canalize
• channel
• channelize
• conduct
• direct
• pipe
• siphon
• syphon

Examples of funnel in a Sentence

Noun

the funnel cloud of a tornado

Verb

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

The three-bedroom, two-story stateroom, located inside the ship's forward funnel, features a design inspired by the Florida park's iconic Spaceship Earth, Walt's original plans for a community of tomorrow — and a few hidden surprises. —Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024

Enhanced data and toolsets enable audience targeting and campaign efficacy measurement, allowing brands to be more precise in connecting with prospects and measuring brand awareness and lower funnel outcomes. —Fairchild Studio, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

Meanwhile, Canada went from a small but advanced manufacturing economy to an oil and gas giant, funneling massive amounts of hydrocarbons to the United States. —Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 30 Nov. 2024

Automaker websites are designed to funnel potential buyers to those dealers. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English funell, fonel, borrowed from Anglo-French fonyle, borrowed from Old Occitan (Gascony, Périgord) fonilh, going back to early Medieval Latin fundibulum, shortened from Latin infundibulum, from infundere "to pour in, fill (with something poured in)" + -i- -i- + -bulum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-d^hlom) — more at infuse

Note: As noted by Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, the incidence of this Occitan word in English (and Anglo-French) is most likely due to commercial contacts between England and the wine merchants of the Bordeaux region.

Verb

verbal derivative of funnel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing funnel

• funnel cloud

Kids Definition

funnel

1 of 2 noun

fun·​nel ˈfən-ᵊl 

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 (as of liquid)

2

: something shaped like a funnel

the funnel cloud of a tornado

3

: a large pipe for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)

funnel

2 of 2 verb

funneled also funnelled; funneling also funnelling

: to move or cause to move to a central point or into a central channel

Medical Definition

funnel

noun

fun·​nel ˈfən-ᵊl 

: 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 see büchner funnel