tube
tube
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "tube" is /tuːb/.
/tuːb/
Word Form Variations
Noun: tube (singular), tubes (plural)
Verb: tube (base form), tubes (third person singular present), tubing (present participle), tubed (past simple, past participle)
Adjective: tube (used attributively, e.g., "tube top," "tube light")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A long, hollow cylinder of metal, plastic, rubber, or glass, typically used for conveying liquids or gases, or for structural purposes.
Synonyms: pipe, conduit, hose, duct, cylinder, channel
Antonyms: solid rod, block, filament
Definition 2: A collapsible cylindrical container made of flexible metal or plastic, sealed at one end and with a cap at the other, used for holding semiliquid substances (like toothpaste or glue).
Synonyms: squeeze tube, container, dispenser
Antonyms: bottle, jar, can (as other types of containers)
Definition 3: (British English, informal) The London Underground railway system.
Synonyms: underground, subway (American English), metro, underground railway
Antonyms: bus, train (other types of public transport)
Definition 4: (Electronics, archaic) A vacuum tube or cathode-ray tube, used in old electronic devices (like televisions or radios).
Synonyms: valve (British English), vacuum tube, CRT, electron tube
Antonyms: transistor, microchip (as modern electronic components)
Definition 5: (Informal) A television set.
Synonyms: television, TV, telly (British informal), set
Antonyms: radio, screen (if not specifically a TV)
Verb
Definition 1: To form into a tube or connect with a tube.
Synonyms: pipe, channel, conduit, connect
Antonyms: disconnect, un-tube, dismantle
Definition 2: To travel by the London Underground railway system (the Tube).
Synonyms: take the Tube, go by subway, commute (by underground)
Antonyms: walk, drive, bus (as other modes of transport)
Definition 3: To put (a substance) into a tube-shaped container.
Synonyms: fill, pack, squeeze into
Antonyms: empty, extract, remove from
Definition 4 (informal): To go or float down a river on a large inner tube.
Synonyms: float, drift, raft (if on a raft)
Antonyms: paddle, swim, walk (along riverbank)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He spent hours in the laboratory, meticulously connecting glass tubes to distill the mysterious liquid." (Fictional example from a scientific thriller or historical novel)
"The book described the daily commute of Londoners, packed into the bustling Tube trains during rush hour." (From a non-fiction book about urban life or a travel guide to London)
"The children excitedly unwrapped the large tube of colorful modeling clay, ready to sculpt fantastic creatures." (Fictional example from a children's book)
Newspapers:
"Engineers are installing new water supply tubes to address water shortages in parts of Nairobi." ("The Standard,")
"Researchers are developing flexible carbon nanotubes for next-generation electronics." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"Commuters faced significant delays on the Piccadilly Line of the London Tube due to signal failures." ("The Guardian,")
Online Publications:
"How to replace a bicycle inner tube: A step-by-step guide for cyclists." (An article on a cycling enthusiast website, e.g., BikeRadar.com)
"Our top picks for the best tube amps for guitarists: Warm tones and classic crunch." (An article on a music gear review site, e.g., Guitar World Online)
"Watch our live stream: We're tubing down the Boise River today!" (A social media post or blog update from an outdoor adventure channel, e.g., YouTube)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike. I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it where I like." (Queen, "Bicycle Race," 1978) - This relates to the inner "tube" of a bicycle tire.
Television Series: "The alien device emits a strange light from its central tube, hinting at its immense power." (Dialogue from a science fiction series, e.g., Doctor Who)
Song Lyrics: "I get home, I turn on the tube, I watch the news." (From a pop or rock song about daily routine, referring to a TV)
Video Games: "Navigate your character through the network of ventilation tubes to bypass the security system." (In-game objective or environment description in a stealth game, e.g., Metal Gear Solid)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we're discussing the golden age of the vacuum tube and its impact on early radio technology." (A podcast on technology history, e.g., The History of English Podcast)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you hand me the super glue tube, please?" (A common request)
"I hate taking the Tube during rush hour; it's always so crowded." (A common complaint in London)
"My TV has a problem with its picture tube; it needs to be repaired." (A statement about an old television)
"We went tubing down the river on our vacation last year; it was so much fun!" (Describing a recreational activity)
"The plumber is here to fix the burst water tube under the sink." (A common household problem)
"I squeezed every last bit of toothpaste out of the tube." (A common everyday action)
10 Quotes Using Tube
"I get home, I turn on the tube, I watch the news." (Common colloquialism, often found in popular songs or descriptions of daily life)
"Take the Tube to Piccadilly Circus." (Common instruction/phrase related to the London Underground)
"My old TV finally gave up the ghost; the picture tube went out." (Common relatable statement about aging electronics)
"He was glued to the tube all weekend, watching reruns." (Common idiom for excessive television watching)
"You can't learn everything from the boob tube." (Colloquialism for television, often used dismissively)
"The London Tube is an experience in itself." (Common observation from tourists and residents alike)
"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can." (Danny Kaye) - This implicitly refers to the idea of squeezing creativity from a "tube" of paint.
"My toothpaste tube is empty again!" (Common relatable household complaint)
"Have you seen what's on the tube tonight?" (Common conversational question about television programming)
"The internet is like a series of tubes." (Former US Senator Ted Stevens, 2006, famous for its controversial and often mocked simplicity)
Etymology
The word "tube" comes from the Latin word tubus.
In Latin, tubus meant "a pipe," "a conduit," "a water pipe," or "a long, hollow piece of metal." It referred to any long, hollow cylinder.
When "tube" first entered the English language, in the early 15th century (around 1400), its initial meaning was very direct and similar to its Latin root: "a hollow cylinder, pipe, or conduit."
Over time, its meaning expanded to include other things that are tube-shaped or related to tubes:
The collapsible container for toothpaste (19th century).
The London Underground railway system (early 20th century, because the tunnels are tube-shaped).
The informal term for a television set (mid-20th century, from the cathode-ray tube inside old TVs).
And now, even metaphorical "tubes" like those used to describe the internet's infrastructure.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Tube
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "tube":
To go down the tube: To fail completely; to be ruined.
The Tube: (British English, informal) The London Underground railway system.
Boob tube: (Informal, often derogatory) A television set.
Inner tube: A rubber tube with a valve, placed inside a tire to hold air.
Test tube: A thin glass tube used in laboratories for experiments.
To be glued to the tube: To watch television for a very long time.
Squeeze the tube dry: To use something until absolutely nothing is left. (Original, playing on squeezing a toothpaste tube)
Internet tubes: (Humorous, informal, from Senator Ted Stevens) A simple, often mocked, metaphor for the internet's infrastructure.
A speaking tube: (Historical) A hollow tube used for conveying speech over short distances.
To run a series of tests: To conduct experiments. (Synonym for running things through "test tubes" figuratively).
To be in a vacuum: To be isolated or cut off from external influences. (Related to a vacuum "tube").
To pipe information: To transmit data. (Synonymous with sending information through a "tube").
To have a long conduit: To have an extended channel or pathway. (Synonymous with a "long tube").
Water tube boiler: A type of boiler where water circulates through tubes heated by fire.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of tube from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
