pipeline

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a process where things are being planned or developed for the future.

n. a metaphorical system or sequence through which products, projects, or candidates are processed or developed.

“We have several new video games in the pipeline for next year.”

“The pharmaceutical firm has three promising new drugs in its research pipeline, though none will reach the market for several years.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Technical

n. a way for a computer to process data in a series of steps, one after another.

n. a sequence of data processing stages where the output of one element is the input of the next.

“The graphics pipeline handles how the computer draws 3D objects on your screen.”

“Modern processors use instruction pipelining to execute multiple commands simultaneously, significantly increasing the overall throughput of the system.”

C1 · Advanced Technical

v. to move a liquid or gas through a system of pipes.

v. to convey a substance through a network of pipes. Transitive — requires a direct object.

“Fresh water is pipelined from the mountains to the dry plains below.”

“The refinery is designed to pipeline crude oil directly from the offshore rigs to the processing facility.”