Pipe Meaning
Pipe Definition & Usage
A long, cylindrical tube used to convey liquids, gases, or other substances.
Examples
- "The workers are installing new pipes to improve the building’s plumbing system."
- "The factory uses a network of pipes to transport chemicals from one room to another."
- "The plumber found a leak in the pipe under the kitchen sink."
- "He cut the pipe with a hacksaw to fit it into the joint."
- "The storm caused the water pipes to burst, flooding the streets."
A musical instrument that produces sound through the vibration of air in a hollow tube, often used in organ music.
Examples
- "The organist played a beautiful melody on the church’s pipes during the service."
- "The pipe organ is an iconic feature of many European cathedrals."
- "He took a lesson on playing the pipes at a local music school."
- "The pipes of the old organ were made of wood and had a rich, deep tone."
- "She was fascinated by how different sizes of pipes produced different pitches."
A device used for smoking tobacco, consisting of a bowl and a stem through which the smoke is inhaled.
Examples
- "He sat on the porch, quietly puffing on his pipe while reading a book."
- "The old man cleaned his pipe after every use to keep it in good condition."
- "The tobacconist offered a wide range of pipes, from simple designs to intricate carvings."
- "She enjoyed the ritual of packing her pipe before heading out to the garden."
- "Smoking a pipe became a relaxing pastime for him after retiring."
To produce sound from a pipe or a similar instrument.
Examples
- "The musician piped a cheerful tune on the small flute."
- "He learned to pipe the Scottish melodies on his bagpipes."
- "The birds piped their songs at dawn, filling the air with sound."
- "She piped a tune for the children as they gathered around her."
- "The band piped in the guests at the start of the ceremony."
Cultural Context
Pipes have a long and diverse history in human culture, both as utilitarian tools and as symbols in music and art. They are integral in many areas, including plumbing, construction, and music. Historically, pipes have been used for communication (e.g., in signal pipes or bagpipes), transportation (e.g., aqueducts), and even as status symbols (e.g., in the form of finely crafted smoking pipes).
The Pipe Dream
Story
The Pipe Dream
On the edge of a sleepy village stood an old stone church, its most notable feature the majestic pipe organ at the front. Henry, the church’s organist, had been playing the instrument for decades, filling the sacred halls with sacred music. But today, his thoughts wandered, and not just because of the church’s centuries-old pipes, which had their own story to tell. It was a calm Sunday morning, and Henry had just finished his morning duties when he noticed something strange: a small, leaking pipe behind the altar. His initial reaction was to call the plumber, but then he had an idea. The church's pipework system had been well maintained for years, but now seemed to need more attention than ever. 'Isn't it ironic?' Henry thought as he turned the pipe over in his mind. The church’s organ pipes had a more perfect sound than anything else in the building. Yet here, behind the altar, lay a simple pipe, silently creating problems. The plumber was called in and soon fixed the issue, but Henry's mind kept returning to that thought of pipes—how something as utilitarian as plumbing could be connected to something as lofty as music. After the repairs, Henry sat in his favorite corner of the church, carefully filling his pipe with tobacco. As he exhaled, the soft cloud of smoke swirled through the air, bringing back memories of his youth when he first learned to play the pipe organ. Each pipe in the organ had a different pitch, just as each experience in life had its own unique sound. Later, the congregation gathered, and the service began. As the organ's pipes echoed through the ancient church, Henry played his melody. And once again, it seemed that everything—plumbing, music, and even the fleeting moments of life—was connected through the humble pipe.
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