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Definition of tunnel

tunnel

/ˈtʌn.əl/
tun · nel

Plural:tunnels
•
Past Simple:tunneled
•
Past Participle:tunneled
•
Present Participle:tunneling
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tunnel Lexical Profile

tunnel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An artificial underground passage, especially one built through a hill or under a road, river, or building.

Example

"The train sped through the dark tunnel beneath the mountain."


2

An underground passage dug by a burrowing animal.

Example

"The rabbits dug a complex network of tunnels under the garden to stay safe from predators."


3

A secure, encrypted connection established between two points on a computer network.

Example

"The IT department set up a virtual private network tunnel to safely transmit the sensitive financial data."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

To dig or force a passage underground or through an obstacle.

Example

"The prisoners tunneled under the stone wall for months to make their escape."


2

To transmit data securely by encapsulating it within a different network protocol.

Example

"The software tunnels the local traffic through a proxy server to obscure the user's location."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for tunnel

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle French 'tonnelle', a diminutive of 'tonne' (cask or barrel), originally referring to a tubular net used for catching partridges. In the 15th century, the meaning extended to denote a subterranean passage due to the tubular shape.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tunnel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tunnel
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