funnel

1 of 2

noun

fun·​nel ˈfə-nᵊl How to pronounce funnel (audio)
1
a
: a utensil that is usually a hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct a downward flow
b
: something shaped like a funnel
2
: a stack or flue for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)

funnel

2 of 2

verb

funneled also funnelled; funneling also funnelling

intransitive verb

1
: to have or take the shape of a funnel
2
: to pass through or as if through a funnel or conduit
the crowd funnels through the doors

transitive verb

1
: to form in the shape of a funnel
funneled his hands and shouted through them
2
: to move to a focal point or into a conduit or central channel
contributions were funneled into one account

Examples of funnel in a Sentence

Noun the funnel cloud of a tornado Verb Winds funneled through the canyon. Smoke funneled up the chimney. The crowd funneled through the doors. He funneled the gas into the tank. They funneled money into the campaign. The information was being secretly funneled to the head of the organization.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The added moisture in the air, courtesy of the respective rivers in both cases, allows more condensate to waft into the funnel’s column of low pressure, illustrating the near-surface inflow feeding the tornado. Scott Dance, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 To use, feed double handfuls of material into the large 21-inch-diameter funnel. Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2024 This is especially true when a long funnel or customer education is involved. Marianella Manzur, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Braud’s funnel cakes are elevated and garnished with scoops of ice cream and toppings. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 6 Feb. 2024 Wade, 30, was elevated to become the team’s player representative with the union, the role Austin Slater previously held, acting as a funnel for any labor issues raised by the rest of the roster. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 The funnel and housing are made with durable polyethylene, and the shredder sits on strong steel legs. Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2024 Digital transformation, the Pandemic, talent wars, and technology have widened the talent funnel. Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Outlets at the rear of the carbon-fiber front fenders exhaust air and draw even further attention to the GT’s most obvious fashion accessory: 22-inch rims with six funnel spokes—an homage to Audi’s recognizable motorsport design. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024
Verb
That, in turn, limits them from providing tap-to-pay capabilities and, again, funnels iPhone users into Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Victoria Song, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024 As an ongoing civil lawsuit in Mississippi alleges, too often these funds get funneled into the pockets of wealthy donors through grants rather than going to the poor as intended. TIME, 21 Mar. 2024 One of the most notable failures was 2021’s Build Back Better Act, which would have funneled $400 billion into child care. Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024 Donaldson recently told Time that his channel earns $600 million to $700 million per year (much of which gets funneled back into his videos). Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 For example, in hilly terrain, still hunt ridges that overlook areas likely to hold deer or funnels that a buck might travel through. Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024 Lots of details about the critical mass that is the plight of the matriarchal honey bee are funneled directly into the audience, those details shaping what becomes a scintillating, albeit choppy narrative that puts ethics and friendship in the crosshairs of ambition. David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 Contaminated areas:Parents want a decision about plans to replace a Navajo school near old uranium mines Superfund sites funnel more money to clean-up work The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District was one of five sites added to the National Priorities List this week. The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Alibaba appears to have gotten off to a quicker start on deal-making in 2024 than rivals Tencent and Baidu Inc., which have also funneled capital into multiple AI startups since ChatGPT ignited a global frenzy. Jane Zhang, Fortune Asia, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'funnel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English funell, fonel, borrowed from Anglo-French fonyle, borrowed from Old Occitan (Gascony, Périgord) fonilh, going back to early Medieval Latin fundibulum, shortened from Latin infundibulum, from infundere "to pour in, fill (with something poured in)" + -i- -i- + -bulum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-dhlom) — more at infuse

Note: As noted by Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, the incidence of this Occitan word in English (and Anglo-French) is most likely due to commercial contacts between England and the wine merchants of the Bordeaux region.

Verb

verbal derivative of funnel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of funnel was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near funnel

Cite this Entry

“Funnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funnel. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

funnel

1 of 2 noun
fun·​nel ˈfən-ᵊl How to pronounce funnel (audio)
1
: a utensil usually shaped like a hollow cone with a tube extending from the point and used to catch and direct a downward flow (as of liquid)
2
: something shaped like a funnel
the funnel cloud of a tornado
3
: a large pipe for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)

funnel

2 of 2 verb
funneled also funnelled; funneling also funnelling
: to move or cause to move to a central point or into a central channel

Medical Definition

funnel

noun
fun·​nel ˈfən-ᵊl How to pronounce funnel (audio)
: a utensil that is usually a hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct a downward flow see büchner funnel

More from Merriam-Webster on funnel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!