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Definition of culvert

culvert

/ˈkʌl.vɚt/
cul · vert
Plural:culverts
•
Past Simple:culverted
•
Past Participle:culverted
•
Present Participle:culverting
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culvert Lexical Profile

culvert Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A tunnel, pipe, or enclosed channel carrying a stream, surface water, or drain under a road, railway, canal, or embankment.

Example

"Heavy rains overwhelmed the concrete culvert, causing the rural highway to flood."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for culvert

• verb

1

To channel a stream, drain, or body of water through a subterranean pipe or tunnel.

Example

"The city planners decided to culvert the small creek to make way for the new housing development."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for culvert

• Nearby Words

culture
cultured
cultureless
culvert
cum
cumberland
cumberland falls

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 18th century; of obscure origin. It may be related to the French word 'couloir' (a channel or corridor) from 'couler' (to flow), or potentially derived from a regional dialect word.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Culvert. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/culvert
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