siphon

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A bent tube used to move liquid from one container to another, using gravity and pressure.

   Grammar: Countable: a siphon, two siphons.

   Patterns

   • use a siphon
   • siphon hose

   He used a siphon to transfer the gasoline from the tank to the can.

   The aquarium owner cleaned the tank with a siphon.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To draw off liquid from a container using a tube.

   Grammar: Takes an object: siphon the water.

   Patterns

   • siphon something from something
   • siphon something into something

   She siphoned the oil from the engine into a pan.

   They siphoned water out of the flooded basement.

3. 3verbtransitivefigurative

   To take money or resources gradually and often dishonestly.

   Grammar: Often used with 'off' or 'from': siphon off funds.

   Patterns

   • siphon off something
   • siphon something from something

   The accountant siphoned off thousands of dollars from the company.

   Rebels siphoned money from the charity to buy weapons.

Word forms

Common combinations

siphon off

The manager siphoned off profits into a secret account.

siphon gas

He siphoned gas from the car to fill the lawnmower.

siphon water

Use a hose to siphon water out of the pool.

Synonyms and how they differ

drain

Drain means to remove liquid completely, often by letting it flow out; siphon specifically uses a tube and gravity.

pump

Pump uses mechanical force to move liquid; siphon relies on gravity and air pressure.

divert

For money, divert means to change its direction; siphon often implies secrecy or dishonesty.

Word family

siphonic adjective

Relating to or resembling a siphon.

Commonly confused: siphon or syphon?

Practice

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