duct

[duhkt]

noun

1. any tube, canal, pipe, or conduit by which a fluid, air, or other substance is conducted or conveyed.

2. Anatomy, Zoology.,  a tube, canal, or vessel conveying a body fluid, especially a glandular secretion or excretion.

3. Botany.,  a cavity or vessel formed by elongated cells or by many cells.

4. Electricity.,  a single enclosed runway for conductors or cables.

5. Printing.,  (in a press) the reservoir for ink.

verb (used with object)

1. to convey or channel by means of a duct or ducts.

   Heat from the oven is ducted to the outside.

duct

/ dʌkt /

noun

1. a tube, pipe, or canal by means of which a substance, esp a fluid or gas, is conveyed

2. any bodily passage, esp one conveying secretions or excretions

3. a narrow tubular cavity in plants, often containing resin or some other substance

4. Also called: conduit. a channel or pipe carrying electric cable or wires

5. a passage through which air can flow, as in air conditioning

6. the ink reservoir in a printing press

duct

1. A tube or tubelike structure through which something flows, especially a tube in the body for carrying a fluid secreted that is by a gland.

Other Word Forms

• ductless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of duct¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin ductus “conveyance (of water),” hence “channel” (in Medieval Latin ), equivalent to duc- (variant stem of dūcere “to lead”) + -tus suffix of verbal action

Word History and Origins

Origin of duct¹

C17: from Latin ductus a leading (in Medieval Latin: aqueduct), from dūcere to lead

Example Sentences

And poorer people are more likely to live in aging buildings without duct systems or air conditioning units.

From Los Angeles Times

Investigators also found knives, a stun gun, body armor, duct tape and rope in his truck.

From Los Angeles Times

The complaints said some Boeing and Airbus passenger planes have seats that do not have windows because of the positioning of air conditioning ducts, wiring or other components.

From BBC

On Jan. 25, Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies found a cat with a paracord around its neck and its paws bound with duct tape in Genovese’s vehicle, according to the release.

From Los Angeles Times

The owner of Pontins holiday parks has pleaded not guilty to corporate manslaughter after an air conditioning duct collapsed onto guests.

From BBC

Related Words

• conduit 
• tube