flue
n. countablen. a pipe or opening that carries smoke and gas from a fire or stove to the outside. It is usually found in the wall or roof of a house.
n. a duct, pipe, or opening in a chimney for conveying smoke, gas, or other waste products to the exterior. Often used in the context of ventilation or heating systems.
The smoke rose up the flue and out of the roof.
Before lighting the fireplace, the homeowner checked the flue to ensure it was clear of leaves and debris.
The architect designed a double-walled flue to improve the efficiency of the heating system while minimizing the risk of heat loss through the chimney structure.
From Middle English flue, flewe (“mouthpiece of a hunting horn”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps a back-formation from Middle English *flews (mistaken as a plural), from Old English flēwsa (“a flow, flowing, flux”). Alternatively, perhaps an alteration of Middle English floute, fleute, flote (“a pipe”), see English flute. Compare also Middle Dutch vloegh (“groove, channel, flute of a fluted column”).