tube
tube Lexical Profile
tube Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A long, hollow cylinder of metal, plastic, glass, or other material, used for conveying or holding liquids or gases.
"The plumber replaced the copper tube under the sink to fix the leak."
A soft, flexible, cylindrical container that is sealed at one end and can be squeezed to force out its contents from the other.
"She squeezed the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube."
British The underground railway system in London.
"We decided to take the Tube to Covent Garden to avoid the heavy street traffic."
• verb
To ride on or travel down a river or snow-covered hill using a large, inflated inner tube.
"We spent the summer afternoon tubing down the slow-moving river."
To supply, fit, or enclose with a tube or tubes (often used in medical or mechanical contexts).
"The patient was quickly tubed and placed on a ventilator in the emergency room."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, 'the Tube' commonly refers to the London Underground railway system, whereas in American English, 'the tube' historically served as a colloquialism for a television set.
• Rhymes for tube
Word Origin & Etymology
Late 16th century: from French, or directly from Latin 'tubus' meaning 'pipe' or 'tube'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.