■ noun
1》 a long, hollow cylinder used for conveying or holding liquids or gases.
↘a long flexible metal or plastic container sealed at one end and with a cap at the other.
↘material forming ~s.
2》 Anatomy, Zoology, & Botany a hollow cylindrical organ or structure in an animal or plant.
↘( ~s ) informal a woman's Fallopian ~s.
3》 ( the Tube ) Brit. trademark the underground railway system in London.
↘a train running on this system.
4》 a sealed container, typically of glass and either evacuated or filled with gas, containing two electrodes between which an electric current can be made to flow.
↘a cathode ray ~, especially in a television set.
↘ N. Amer. a thermionic valve.
5》 ( the ~ ) N. Amer. informal television.
6》 (in surfing) the hollow curve under the crest of a breaking wave.
7》 informal a cigarette.
8》 Austral. informal a can of beer.
■ verb
1》 [usu. as adjective ~d ] provide with a ~ or ~s.
2》 convey in a ~.
Phrases
go down the ~ (or ~s ) informal be completely lost or wasted; fail utterly.
Derivatives
~less adjective
Origin
C17: from Fr. ~ or L. tubus .