tube
tube — noun
1. A long hollow shape, typically made from materials such as metal, plastic, rubbe
A long hollow shape, typically made from materials such as metal, plastic, rubber, or glass, used to carry or hold liquids and gases as they travel between locations.
The plumber replaced the old metal tube under the kitchen sink.
tube as a physical pipe used in plumbing
Water flows through a narrow rubber tube connected to the washing machine.
Cyrus used a plastic tube to siphon petrol from the lawnmower.
The laboratory assistant inserted a glass tube into the flask for the experiment.
用法筆記
Often used interchangeably with 'pipe' for flexible or smaller conduits. 'Pipe' is more common for rigid metal plumbing fixtures.
常見錯誤
2. In medicine and biology, a narrow channel inside a living organism that transpor
In medicine and biology, a narrow channel inside a living organism that transports fluids such as blood, air, or digestive substances from one part of the body to another.
Food moves from the mouth to the stomach through a muscular tube called the oesophagus.
biological tube in the digestive system
Élise visited a doctor because one of her fallopian tubes was blocked.
The bronchial tubes carry air between the windpipe and the lungs.
Sirin learned in biology class that the Eustachian tube connects the ear to the throat.
用法筆記
Frequently appears in compound medical terms: 'fallopian tube', 'bronchial tube', 'Eustachian tube'. The plural form 'tubes' is common when referring to paired structures.
3. A soft, narrow container sealed at one end with a small opening at the other, ma
A soft, narrow container sealed at one end with a small opening at the other, made of metal or plastic, designed to hold a thick liquid or paste that you push out by squeezing.
Yumi squeezed out the last of the toothpaste before buying a new tube.
squeeze + out of the tube — indicating extracting contents
The artist bought a tube of red oil paint from the art supply shop.
Camila handed her son a fresh tube of sunscreen before they went to the beach.
Theo rolled up the toothpaste tube from the bottom to use every last bit.
- container
more general; does not specify the squeezable design
- tube packaging
descriptive term for the packaging format
用法筆記
Nearly always followed by 'of' + substance: 'a tube of toothpaste / paint / hand cream / sunscreen'. The lid is screwed back on after each use to prevent the contents from drying out.
4. An informal British term for a metal can or glass bottle containing beer, typica
An informal British term for a metal can or glass bottle containing beer, typically served cold.
Imran opened a cold tube of beer while watching the football match.
informal: tube of beer = can or bottle of beer
After work, Matthew grabbed a couple of tubes from the fridge.
Gabriel handed his friend a cold tube of beer at the barbecue.
Theo brought two tubes of lager to the party last night.
用法筆記
Chiefly British slang. Used in casual conversation, especially in pubs or among friends. 'A tube' means one can; 'a couple of tubes' is a common plural.
常見錯誤
5. An electric train network that runs mostly in tunnels beneath the streets of Lon
An electric train network that runs mostly in tunnels beneath the streets of London, commonly referred to by locals as the Tube.
Shanti took the Tube from King's Cross to Oxford Circus this morning.
the Tube + from [station] to [station] — typical route expression
Christopher has lived in London for five years but still gets lost on the Tube.
The Tube runs from around five in the morning until midnight every day.
Kofi checked the Tube map on his phone to find the route to Camden Town.
- the London Underground
the official name; more formal
- the subway
used in American English; not used for London's system
用法筆記
Always capitalised as 'the Tube' when referring to the London Underground. Use 'take the Tube' / 'go by Tube' / 'on the Tube'. The official name is 'the London Underground', but locals almost always call it 'the Tube' — the nickname comes from the shape of the deep-level tunnels, which are cylindrical tubes.
常見錯誤
6. The television, considered as a device for watching programmes or as a broadcast
The television, considered as a device for watching programmes or as a broadcast medium; used informally in phrases such as 'watch the tube' or 'on the tube'.
After dinner, the whole family sat around watching the tube.
informal: watching the tube = watching TV
My grandfather still calls the television 'the tube' even though it is a flat screen.
There is nothing good on the tube tonight, so I will read a book instead.
Sirin turned on the tube to watch the evening news before dinner.
- TV
neutral, more common in modern usage
- television
formal, the full word
- the box
British informal synonym, also old-fashioned
用法筆記
Informal and somewhat old-fashioned in American English, but still widely understood. Originates from the cathode-ray tube (CRT) used in older television sets. The definite article 'the' is required: 'on the tube', not 'on tube'.