1
a
: a utensil that is usually a hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct a downward flow
b
: something shaped like a funnel
2
: a stack or flue for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)
funneled also funnelled; funneling also funnelling
1
: to have or take the shape of a funnel
2
: to pass through or as if through a funnel or conduit
the crowd funnels through the doors
1
: to form in the shape of a funnel
funneled his hands and shouted through them
2
: to move to a focal point or into a conduit or central channel
contributions were funneled into one account
Synonyms
Examples of funnel in a Sentence
Noun
the funnel cloud of a tornado
Verb
Winds funneled through the canyon.
Smoke funneled up the chimney.
The crowd funneled through the doors.
He funneled the gas into the tank.
They funneled money into the campaign.
The information was being secretly funneled to the head of the organization.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024
In these cases, getting the customer over the line and purchasing can be the toughest part of the sales funnel.
—Darpan Munjal, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Colin P. Clarke, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
While the entire country will be focused on who will win the presidential election, eyes in Kentucky will also be on Amendment 2 and whether the commonwealth will have the ability to funnel public dollars to private schools.
—Dann Miller, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for funnel 
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Noun
My neighbor used to fly them, waving his cane in wild circles overhead to make the funnel of bird-flesh spin.
—Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024
In these cases, getting the customer over the line and purchasing can be the toughest part of the sales funnel.
—Darpan Munjal, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
In early September, an indictment against two RT (formerly Russia Today, a Kremlin propaganda outlet) employees detailed a scheme to funnel $10 million to finance prominent right-wing commentators in the United States, part of a pro-Trump media platform registered in Tennessee.
—Colin P. Clarke, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
While the entire country will be focused on who will win the presidential election, eyes in Kentucky will also be on Amendment 2 and whether the commonwealth will have the ability to funnel public dollars to private schools.
—Dann Miller, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for funnel
Dictionary Entries Near funnel
Cite this Entry
“Funnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funnel. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
funnel
1 of 2 noun
fun·nel
ˈfən-ᵊl 
1
: a utensil usually shaped like a hollow cone with a tube extending from the point and used to catch and direct a downward flow (as of liquid)
2
: something shaped like a funnel
the funnel cloud of a tornado
3
: a large pipe for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)
funnel
2 of 2 verb
funneled also funnelled; funneling also funnelling
: to move or cause to move to a central point or into a central channel
Medical Definition
funnel
noun
fun·nel
ˈfən-ᵊl
: a utensil that is usually a hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct a downward flow see büchner funnel
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