siphon

Other spellings

• syphon

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈsaɪfən/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

Singular siphon

Plural siphons

1. A siphon is a bent pipe or tube with one end lower than the other, in which gravity moves the liquid from one reservoir to another.
2. (biology) A siphon is a tubelike organ found in animals or elongated cell found in plants.

Verb

Plain form siphon

Third-person singular siphons

Past tense siphoned

Past participle siphoned

Present participle siphoning

1. (transitive) If you siphon something, you transfer liquid through a siphon.

   He used a rubber tube to siphon petrol from the car's fuel tank.

2. (transitive) (figurative) If you siphon something, you steal in small amounts.
   • Synonym: embezzle