/ tjuːb; NAmE tuːb/ noun
PIPE
1.
[ C ] a long hollow pipe made of metal, plastic, rubber, etc., through which liquids or gases move from one place to another
—see also cathode ray tube , inner tube , test tube
2.
[ C ] a hollow object in the shape of a pipe or tube :
a bike's inner tube
the cardboard tube from the centre of a toilet roll
CONTAINER
3.
[ C ] tube (of sth) a long narrow container made of soft metal or plastic, with a lid, used for holding thick liquids that can be squeezed out of it :
a tube of toothpaste
4.
( AustralE , informal ) a can of beer :
a tube of lager
PART OF BODY
5.
[ C ] a part inside the body that is shaped like a tube and through which air, liquid, etc. passes :
bronchial tubes
—picture at organ
—see also Fallopian tubes
UNDERGROUND RAILWAY
6.
the tube [ sing. ] ( BrE ) the underground railway system in London :
a tube station / train
We came by tube .
➡ note at underground
TELEVISION
7.
the tube [ sing. ] ( NAmE , informal ) the television
IN EAR
8.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) = grommet
•
IDIOMS
- go down the tube / tubes
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from French tube or Latin tubus .