pipe

noun

• 1a tube of metal, plastic, or other material used to convey water, gas, oil, or other fluid substances.
• a cylindrical vein of ore or rock, especially one in which diamonds are found.
• a cavity in cast metal.
• informal a duct, vessel, or tubular structure in the body, or in an animal or plant.
• Computing a connection to the Internet or to a website.

• 2a narrow tube made from wood, clay, etc., with a bowl at one end for containing burning tobacco, the smoke from which is drawn into the mouth.
• a quantity of tobacco held by this.
• a device for smoking illegal drugs:a crack pipe

• 3a wind instrument consisting of a single tube with holes along its length that are covered by the fingers to produce different notes:a reed pipe
• (usually pipes) bagpipes.
• (pipes) a set of pipes joined together, as in panpipes.
• a tube by which sound is produced in an organ.
• (pipes) informal voice or vocal ability, especially of a powerful singer.
• [in singular] a high-pitched cry or song, especially of a bird.
• a boatswain’s whistle.

• 4 Computing a command that causes the output from one routine to be the input for another.
• the symbol | .

• 5a cask for wine, especially as a measure equal to two hogsheads, usually equivalent to 105 gallons (about 477 liters).

verb

• 1 [with object] convey (water, gas, oil, or other fluid substances) through a pipe or pipes:water from the lakes is piped to several towns
• transmit (music, a radio or television program, signals, etc.) by wire or cable.

• 2 [with object] play (a tune) on a pipe or pipes.
• [no object] (of a bird) sing in a high or shrill voice.
• [with direct speech] say something in a high, shrill voice:“No, ma’am,” piped Lucy
• use a boatswain’s whistle to summon (the crew) to work or a meal:the hands were piped to breakfast

• 3 [with object] decorate (clothing or soft furnishings) with a thin cord covered in fabric.
• put (a decorative line or pattern) on a cake or similar dish using icing, whipped cream, etc..