Siphon definition

sīfən
siphoned siphoning siphons syphoned syphoning syphons
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The definition of a siphon is a tube that is used to draw liquid from one container into another, lower container by atmospheric pressure and gravity.

An example of a siphon is a tube where gas is forced out of a gas tank into a gas container on the ground.

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To siphon is to run a tube from one container to another in a way that uses atmospheric pressure to move the liquid into the lower container.

When you hook up a tube to a gas tank and then use atmospheric pressure to move the gas out of that tank into a gas canister below it, this is an example of a time when you siphon.

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A tube that carries a liquid from a higher level up and over a barrier and then down to a lower level, with the flow maintained by gravity and atmospheric pressure as long as the tube remains filled.
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(zoology) A tubular organ, especially of aquatic invertebrates such as squids or clams, by which water is taken in or expelled.
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To draw off or convey (a liquid) through a siphon.
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To take or transfer (something), often illicitly.

Siphon money from an account; siphon customers from a competitor.

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To pass through a siphon.
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A bent tube used for carrying liquid from a reservoir over the top edge of its container to a point below the surface of the reservoir: the tube must be filled, as by suction, before flow will start.
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A tubelike organ in some animals, as cuttlefishes, used for drawing in or ejecting liquids.
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To draw off or carry through or as through a siphon.
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To pass through a siphon.
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A tube that carries a liquid from a higher level up and over a barrier and then down to a lower level, with the flow maintained by gravity and atmospheric pressure as long as the tube remains filled.
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(zoology) A tubular organ, especially of aquatic invertebrates such as squids or clams, by which water is taken in or expelled.
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To draw off or convey a liquid through a siphon.
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A pipe or tube in the form of an upside-down U, filled with liquid and arranged so that the pressure of the atmosphere forces liquid to flow upward from a container through the tube, over a barrier, and into a lower container.
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A tubular animal part, as of a clam, through which water is taken in or expelled.
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A bent pipe or tube with one end lower than the other, in which hydrostatic pressure exerted due to the force of gravity moves liquid from one reservoir to another.
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A soda siphon.
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(biology) A tubelike organ found in animals or elongated cell found in plants.
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To transfer (liquid) by means of a siphon.

He used a rubber tube to siphon petrol from the car's fuel tank.

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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
siphon
Plural:
siphons

Origin of siphon

  • Middle English from Latin sīphō sīphōn- from Greek sīphōn

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Ancient Greek σίφων (siphōn, “pipe, tube")

    From Wiktionary

Siphon Sentence Examples

  • Two receiving instruments, a siphon recorder and a mirror galvanometer, are shown; one only is absolutely necessary, but it is convenient Cable to have the galvanometer ready, so that in case of accident to the recorder it may be at once switched into circuit by the switch s.

  • Screw adjustments are provided for closing or opening the air gap between the electromagnets and armatures, for raising or lowering the siphon, and for adjusting the point of the siphon to the centre or side of the paper strip. The received signals are recorded on the paper strip in an undulating continuous line of ink, and are distinguished by the length of deviation from zero.

  • The Siphon bag is designed specifically for wheelchair users who have limited dexterity or balance.

  • Do you think it was acceptable for Arafat to siphon off most of the aid money to his private Swiss bank accounts?

  • The mixture, then, was composed of such materials as sulphur and naphtha with quicklime, and took fire spontaneously when wetted - whence the name of wet fire or sea fire; and portions of it were "projected and at the same time ignited by applying the hose of a water engine to the breech" of the siphon, which was a wooden tube, cased with bronze.

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