Definition of CONDUITS (original) (raw)
1
: a natural or artificial channel through which something (such as a fluid) is conveyed
2
: a pipe, tube, or tile for protecting electric wires or cables
3
: a means of transmitting or distributing
a conduit for illicit payments
Synonyms
Examples of conduit in a Sentence
the major conduit for carrying water to the military base water flowed along the conduit to the fountain
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Now, Trump’s election means Orbán will be far less isolated and may even become the political bloc’s conduit to Trump. —
Alexander Smith, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024 In Springfield, Ohio, X played a similar role as a conduit for white supremacists and far-right extremists to fuel real-world harm. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 But music has often served as a conduit for clarity in Yamada’s films. —Kambole Campbell, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024 The other is the appearance that Chinese business is avoiding U.S. tariffs on Chinese product by using Mexico as a conduit for its goods. —Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conduit 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English conduyt, condyt, cundyte "channel or pipe for conveying water, act of escorting for protection" borrowed from Anglo-French conduit, condet "channel for water, guide, escort party," (also continental Old French), noun derivative from conduit, past participle of conduire "to guide, escort," going back to Latin condūcere "to bring together, join, hire, accept a contract for" (Medieval Latin also "to lead, escort, provide a channel for [water]") — more at conduce
Note: The senses of the vernacular word conduit parallel those of Medieval Latin conductus, conductum_—see conduct entry 2. The verb conduct entry 1 and the nouns conduct entry 2 and conductor all had vernacular counterparts in Middle English and early Modern English—_conduiten, conduit and _conduytour_—taken from Anglo-French. Of these only conduit has survived in Modern English, and with the restricted sense "channel for water."
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of conduit was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near conduit
Cite this Entry
“Conduit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conduit. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
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Last Updated: 17 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences
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