n. & v.
n. 1 a long hollow rigid or flexible cylinder, esp. for holding or carrying air, liquids, etc. 2 a soft metal or plastic cylinder sealed at one end and having a screw cap at the other, for holding a semi-liquid substance ready for use (a tube of toothpaste). 3 Anat. & Zool. a hollow cylindrical organ in the body (bronchial tubes; Fallopian tubes). 4 (often prec. by the) colloq. the London underground railway system (went by tube). 5 a a cathode-ray tube esp. in a television set. b (prec. by the) esp. US colloq. television. 6 US a thermionic valve. 7 = inner tube. 8 the cylindrical body of a wind instrument. 9 Austral. sl. a can of beer.
v.tr. 1 equip with tubes. 2 enclose in a tube. tubeless adj. (esp. in sense 7 of n.). tubelike adj.
[ F tube or L tubus ]