conduit

noun

con·​duit ˈkän-ˌdü-ət How to pronounce conduit (audio)
-ˌdyü-
also -dwət, 
-dət
Synonyms of conduit
1
: a natural or artificial channel through which something (such as a fluid) is conveyed
a conduit for rainwater
2
: a pipe, tube, or tile for protecting electric wires or cables
3
: a means of transmitting or distributing
a conduit for illicit payments
a conduit of information
4
archaic : fountain

Synonyms of conduit

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Examples of conduit in a Sentence

the major conduit for carrying water to the military base water flowed along the conduit to the fountain
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
City leaders held a meeting Wednesday to discuss the transition, including plans to modernize the conduit system, improve safety and establish a new city-run operation. — Bryant Reed, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Relationships are conduits for timely information sharing, mutual aid and collective action. — Fiona Doherty, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026 Rubio’s comments follow those of another White House cabinet member suggesting a deal could make room for the free flow of shipping through the oil conduit. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026 The risk of Iranian attacks has deterred most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, an important conduit for global energy supplies, since the start of the conflict, sending shockwaves through the world economy. — Yasmine Ghania, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conduit

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conduyt, condyt, cundyte "channel or pipe for conveying water, act of escorting for protection" borrowed from Anglo-French conduit, condet "channel for water, guide, escort party," (also continental Old French), noun derivative from conduit, past participle of conduire "to guide, escort," going back to Latin condūcere "to bring together, join, hire, accept a contract for" (Medieval Latin also "to lead, escort, provide a channel for [water]") — more at conduce

Note: The senses of the vernacular word conduit parallel those of Medieval Latin conductus, conductum—see conduct entry 2. The verb conduct entry 1 and the nouns conduct entry 2 and conductor all had vernacular counterparts in Middle English and early Modern English—conduiten, conduit and conduytour—taken from Anglo-French. Of these only conduit has survived in Modern English, and with the restricted sense "channel for water."

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conduit was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

conductus
conduit
conduit box
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conduit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conduit. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

conduit

noun
con·​duit ˈkän-ˌd(y)ü-ət How to pronounce conduit (audio)
also -d(w)ət
1
: a channel through which water or other fluid is carried
2
: a pipe, tube, or tile for protecting electric wires or cables

More from Merriam-Webster on conduit

Nglish: Translation of conduit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conduit

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