1
a
: a covered passageway
specifically
: a horizontal passageway through or under an obstruction
b
: a subterranean gallery (as in a mine)
c
: burrow
tunneled or tunnelled; tunneling or tunnelling
ˈtən-liŋ,
ˈtə-nᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make or use a tunnel
2
physics
: to pass through a potential barrier
electrons tunneling through an insulator between semiconductors
: to make a tunnel or similar opening through or under
also
: to make (one's way) by or as if by making a tunnel
Examples of tunnel in a Sentence
Noun
The train goes through a tunnel in the mountain.
The moles dug tunnels in the yard.
Verb
Workers are tunneling through the hill.
Insects had tunneled into the tree.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ty Gaskins, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024
There will be carve-outs for low-income workers, a discount on tunnel tolls, and a steep markdown overnight (all of which were on the old plan, too).
—Nolan Hicks, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024
Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
The plant is host to an insect called the leaf miner which tunnels through foliage.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tunnel 
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Noun
After an impressive collegiate career at Stanford, the WNBA rookie with the Los Angeles Sparks has become known for her bold pre-game tunnel looks, redefining the intersection of sports and style.
—Ty Gaskins, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024
There will be carve-outs for low-income workers, a discount on tunnel tolls, and a steep markdown overnight (all of which were on the old plan, too).
—Nolan Hicks, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
The idea is that this would create an extra layer of protection by tunneling one secure connection through another.
—Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
The plant is host to an insect called the leaf miner which tunnels through foliage.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tunnel
Dictionary Entries Near tunnel
Cite this Entry
“Tunnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tunnel. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tunnel
2 of 2 verb
tunneled or tunnelled; tunneling or tunnelling
ˈtən-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to make a tunnel
Medical Definition
tunnel
noun
tun·nel
ˈtən-ᵊl
: a bodily channel see carpal tunnel
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