conduit
KON-doo-it
/ˈkɒndjʊɪt/
A channel for conveying water or other fluid; a tube or trough for protecting electric wiring.
Often used metaphorically for a person or organization that transmits something (like information or money).
The story behind the word. From the Old French 'conduit,' meaning a 'guided path.' It shares the same 'duct' root as aqueduct, emphasizing the 'leading' of something from one place to another.
Word relationships
- channel: Channel is broader and can be natural; conduit is usually a specific, engineered tube.
Commonly confused with
- duct: A duct is often for air (HVAC); a conduit is often for fluids or wires.
Collocations
- electrical conduit
- conduit for information
- underground conduit
Example sentences
- "The electrical cables were housed in a heavy-duty steel conduit." Electrical Engineering
- "The local branch served as a conduit for investment into the region." Business
Memory hook
A conduit 'conducts' things (like electricity or water) through a pipe. A pipe that guides.
When not to use
Don't use for an open river; a conduit is usually an artificial, enclosed channel or pipe.
Fun facts
- In the Middle Ages, a 'conduit' was often a public fountain where water was brought in through pipes.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.