tubing

IPA/ˈtjuːbɪŋ/
KK[tˈubɪŋ]IPA/ˈtuːbɪŋ/

tubing — noun

1. Long, hollow pieces made of plastic, rubber, or metal that are used to carry liq

1.nounB1
Definition

Long, hollow pieces made of plastic, rubber, or metal that are used to carry liquids or gases, or serve as parts in equipment and systems.

Example

The plumber used flexible copper tubing to connect the new water heater to the pipes.

collocation: copper tubing / flexible tubing

Théo cut a short piece of plastic tubing and pushed one end onto the faucet fitting.

collocation: plastic tubing / a piece of tubing

Common collocations
  • copper tubing
  • plastic tubing
  • rubber tubing
  • metal tubing
  • flexible tubing
  • a length of tubing
  • a piece of tubing
Synonyms
  • piping

    piping usually refers to rigid metal or plastic tubes in building systems, while tubing is more often flexible and used for smaller-scale connections

  • hose

    a hose is a flexible tube designed specifically for carrying water or other fluids, typically longer and thicker than general-purpose tubing

2. An outdoor recreational activity in which a person sits on a large rubber ring f

2.nounB1
Definition

An outdoor recreational activity in which a person sits on a large rubber ring filled with air and is pulled across the surface of water or slides down a snowy slope.

Example

We spent a hot afternoon tubing down the slow river near the campground.

pattern: go tubing + down [river/slope]

Tomás tried snow tubing and laughed the whole way as he spun down the hill.

collocation: snow tubing

Common collocations
  • go tubing
  • water tubing
  • snow tubing
  • tubing hill
  • tubing run
  • inner tube
Synonyms
  • inner tubing

    inner tubing is another name for the same activity, especially on water, and is slightly less common in everyday use

Usage Note

Commonly used in the phrase 'go tubing' (e.g. 'We went tubing on the lake'). The snow version is often called 'snow tubing' to distinguish it from water tubing.

Common Mistakes

I bought a tubing for the lake trip.
I bought an inner tube for the lake trip.
'tubing' refers to the activity or the material, not a single inflatable ring. Use 'inner tube' or 'tube' for one ring.

Etymology

First known use

1845

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1