conduit

/ˈkɒndjuɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːnduɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkän-ˌdü-ət -ˌdyü- also -dwət, -dət/ (ame, mw)

conduit — noun

  • conduitsingular
  • conduitsplural

1. A tube, pipe, or channel that carries liquids, gases, or electrical cables from

1.名詞B2
釋義

A tube, pipe, or channel that carries liquids, gases, or electrical cables from one place to another, especially through walls, underground, or inside buildings.

例句

Diego ran the cables through a metal conduit inside the office wall.

conduit through [place] — physical installation context

The old stone conduit beneath the square still carries rainwater to the river.

同義詞
  • pipe

    more general; often for liquids or gas, not specifically for wires

  • tube

    suggests a flexible or cylindrical hollow shape; less technical

  • channel

    can be open or closed; often refers to water flow or abstract paths

文法句型

conduit for [something]

conduit through [place]

用法筆記

In construction contexts, 'conduit' specifically refers to tubing designed to protect electrical wiring, whereas 'pipe' more often refers to carrying liquids or gas. A conduit may be rigid (metal or PVC) or flexible.

常見錯誤

❌The electrician used a pipe for the wires.
✅The electrician used a conduit for the wires.
💡'pipe' is for liquids and gas; 'conduit' is the correct term for protecting electrical cables.

2. A path, route, or link that joins two locations, allowing movement or communicat

2.名詞B2
釋義

A path, route, or link that joins two locations, allowing movement or communication between them.

例句

The new rail line became a key conduit for passengers traveling between Nairobi and Mombasa.

conduit for [traffic] between [places]

The Panama Canal is a vital conduit for ships moving between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

同義詞
  • link

    more general; can be abstract or physical, but less dynamic

  • route

    emphasises the path taken rather than the function of carrying flow

  • channel

    similar, but more common for communication than physical transport

反義詞
  • barrier

    something that blocks movement or connection between places

文法句型

conduit between [place A] and [place B]

conduit for [traffic/goods]

用法筆記

Frequently appears with prepositions 'between' or 'for' to specify the two endpoints or the type of movement. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not imply a physical tube — it can refer to roads, cables, or shipping lanes.

常見錯誤

❌The highway is a connection between the two cities.
✅The highway is a conduit for trade between the two cities.
💡'conduit' emphasises active flow or transit, not just the fact of being linked.

3. A person, organization, or system that passes information, money, or other resou

3.名詞C1
釋義

A person, organization, or system that passes information, money, or other resources from one party to another.

例句

The local charity served as a conduit for emergency supplies during the flood relief effort.

serve as a conduit for [resources]

Hassan used the student forum as a conduit to share career advice with younger classmates.

同義詞
  • channel

    very similar; 'channel' can imply a wider or more official pathway

  • intermediary

    emphasises the human or organizational agent standing between parties

  • medium

    less active; suggests a neutral means rather than an active facilitator

反義詞
  • block

    as a verb, the opposite of acting as a conduit — to stop the flow

文法句型

conduit for [information/money]

act as a conduit for [something]

serve as a conduit between [groups]

用法筆記

Subject is typically an organization, system, or person that occupies a middle position between two parties. 'Act as a conduit' is a very common collocation. The flow is often one-directional but can be bidirectional.

常見錯誤

❌He acted as a pipe for the information.
✅He acted as a conduit for the information.
💡'pipe' is physical; 'conduit' is the correct word for abstract transfer between people or groups.