pipeline

[pahyp-lahyn] /ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn/
noun
1.
a long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport crude oil, natural gas, water, etc., especially over great distances.
2.
a route, channel, or process along which something passes or is provided at a steady rate; means, system, or flow of supply or supplies:
Freighters and cargo planes are a pipeline for overseas goods.
3.
a channel of information, especially one that is direct, privileged, or confidential; inside source; reliable contact.
verb (used with object), pipelined, pipelining.
4.
to convey by or as if by pipeline:
to pipeline oil from the far north to ice-free ports; to pipeline graduates into the top jobs.
Idioms
5.
in the pipeline,
  1. Informal. in the process of being developed, provided, or completed; in the works; under way.
  2. Government Informal. (of funds) authorized but not spent.
Origin
1855-60; pipe1 + line1
British Dictionary definitions for in the pipeline

pipeline

/ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn/
noun
1.
a long pipe, esp underground, used to transport oil, natural gas, etc, over long distances
2.
a medium of communication, esp a private one
3.
in the pipeline, in the process of being completed, delivered, or produced
verb (transitive)
4.
to convey by pipeline
5.
to supply with a pipeline
Word Origin and History for in the pipeline

pipeline

n.

1859, "continuous line of pipes," from pipe (n.1) + line (n.). Figurative sense of "channel of communication" is from 1921; surfer slang meaning "hollow part of a large wave" is attested by 1963.

Slang definitions & phrases for in the pipeline

in the pipeline

adjective phrase

(also in the hopper or in the works) Being prepared, processed, or worked on; on the fire: almost 10 times that amount in infrastructure projects were in the pipeline/ We got a little gizmo in the works that'll give them a duck-fit (1955+)

adverb phrase

Riding inside the curled-over front of a wave (1963+ Surfers)


pipeline

modifier

Directly communicated: a pipeline review

noun
  1. A channel of communication, esp a direct and special one: You'd think he has a pipeline to Jesus (1921+)
  2. A channel or course for routine production, processing, etc: We'll have fewer men in what we call the ''pipeline'' who are moving (1955+)
Related Terms

in the pipeline, pipe


Idioms and Phrases with in the pipeline

in the pipeline

.
In process, under way, as in The blueprints for the new machine are in the pipeline, but it will take months to get approval. [ ; 1940s ]
Also see: in the works
.
Budgeted for something but not yet spent, as in There's $5 million more in the pipeline for the city schools. [ ; second half of 1900s ]