pipes
- 01 A2 Elementary
tubes used to carry water, gas, or oil through a building or underground.
plural of pipe; conduits or tubes used for the transport of fluids or gases.
Simple“The plumber had to replace the old metal pipes because they were leaking.”
In context“The city council approved a massive project to replace the aging infrastructure of underground water pipes before the winter freeze.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
a musical instrument made of tubes, like bagpipes or the tubes in a large church organ.
a musical instrument consisting of a tube or tubes, specifically referring to bagpipes or the pipes of an organ.
Simple“We could hear the sound of the pipes playing at the parade.”
In context“The cathedral's organ features over three thousand pipes, ranging from tiny whistles to massive wooden structures that shake the floor.”
Synonymsbagpipesorgan pipes - 03 C1 Advanced
a person's voice, especially when they are a very strong or talented singer.
a person's vocal cords or singing voice, usually used to compliment power or range.
Simple“That girl has some serious pipes; she should be on a talent show.”
In context“The lead singer demonstrated her impressive pipes during the final aria, hitting the high notes with effortless precision.”
(vocal capacity): As if one's lungs were composed of pipework.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.