# pipes

/ˈpaɪps/ (US) · /pˈaɪps/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pipes
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. tubes for liquid/gas

noun · CEFR A2

tubes used to carry water, gas, or oil through a building or underground.

For teachers: plural of pipe; conduits or tubes used for the transport of fluids or gases.

- The plumber had to replace the old metal pipes because they were leaking.
- The city council approved a massive project to replace the aging infrastructure of underground water pipes before the winter freeze.

### 2. musical instrument

noun · CEFR B1

a musical instrument made of tubes, like bagpipes or the tubes in a large church organ.

For teachers: a musical instrument consisting of a tube or tubes, specifically referring to bagpipes or the pipes of an organ.

- We could hear the sound of the pipes playing at the parade.
- The cathedral's organ features over three thousand pipes, ranging from tiny whistles to massive wooden structures that shake the floor.

### 3. singing voice

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person's voice, especially when they are a very strong or talented singer.

For teachers: a person's vocal cords or singing voice, usually used to compliment power or range.

- That girl has some serious pipes; she should be on a talent show.
- The lead singer demonstrated her impressive pipes during the final aria, hitting the high notes with effortless precision.

## Examples

- The plumber is here to fix the leaking pipes.
- Old metal pipes in the basement often rust and need to be replaced with plastic ones.
- The city's aging infrastructure relies on a vast network of underground pipes that require constant maintenance to prevent significant water loss through leakage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.