Word
tubes
US/ˈtubz/
UK/tjˈuːbz/
Definitions
01hollow pipes
n. more than one long, hollow object used to hold or move things like liquids or air.
n. plural form of tube; multiple cylindrical objects used for the conveyance of fluids or as structural components.
“The mechanic replaced the old rubber tubes under the car's hood.”
“The laboratory was filled with glass tubes of various sizes, each containing a different chemical solution for the afternoon's experiments.”
02the internet
n. a funny or informal way to talk about the internet.
n. a humorous, often slightly derisive term for the internet, popularized by the phrase 'series of tubes'.
“I spent all night reading strange stories on the tubes.”
“The politician's clumsy description of the internet as a 'series of tubes' became an enduring meme among tech-savvy voters.”
Informal · Humorous · Slang
Teaching tip
This is a dated internet meme; it is rarely used seriously and usually implies the speaker is joking about a lack of technical knowledge.
Synonyms
03fallopian tubes
n. a common way to refer to the parts of a woman's body that carry eggs to the womb.
n. informal shorthand for the fallopian tubes; frequently used in the context of surgical sterilization.
“She decided to have her tubes tied after her third child was born.”
“The patient requested information regarding the permanent closure of her tubes as a method of long-term contraception.”
Informal
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Pastes in jars or tubes are a cheap alternative: arrive with one garlic and one ginger.” “Here it’s the verrophone , invented by German musician Sascha Reckert, where the rims of glass tubes are rubbed with wet fingers, similar to playing wine glasses.” Idioms
go down the tubes — Synonym of go down the toilet: to fail; to degenerate rapidly.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/tubes