pipeline: Meaning and Definition of

pipe•line

Pronunciation: (pīp'līn"), [key]
— n., v., -lined, -lin•ing.
—n.
  1. a long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport crude oil, natural gas, water, etc., esp. over great distances.
  2. a route, channel, or process along which something passes or is provided at a steady rate; means, system, or flow of supply or supplies: Freighters and cargo planes are a pipeline for overseas goods.
  3. a channel of information, esp. one that is direct, privileged, or confidential; inside source; reliable contact.
    1. Informal.in the process of being developed, provided, or completed; in the works; under way.
    2. Govt. Informal.(of funds) authorized but not spent.
—v.t.
  1. to convey by or as if by pipeline: to pipeline oil from the far north to ice-free ports; to pipeline graduates into the top jobs.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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