Siphon
/ˈsaɪfən/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, a siphon is a curved tube that moves liquid from a higher place to a lower place without using a pump, by using air pressure and gravity. As a verb, "to siphon" means to move liquid or resources quietly or secretly from one place to another, often without permission.
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See It in Action
A tool or tube to move liquid from one place to another using gravity
- •He used a siphon to empty the water from the fish tank.
- •The siphon moved gasoline from the car to the container.
- •A siphon can transfer liquid without lifting the container.
To take liquid or resources secretly or gradually from one place to another
- •The company was accused of siphoning money from its funds.
- •She siphoned some fuel from the boat to fill her car.
- •They siphoned off some profits to a private account.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "siphon" like "pipe" (A1 word), but the pipe moves liquid by itself using gravity, no machine needed.
- ✓Picture a bent straw in a glass, where liquid flows down from one glass to another without pushing.
- ✓It's the feeling when you slowly take a little water from a bucket without anyone noticing.
- ✓Sounds like "SIGH-fun" → Imagine someone sighing softly while quietly moving water through a tube.
- ✓Think of a cartoon where a character uses a tube to secretly take gas or water from a container.
- ✓NOT like "pump" (needs power or machine), siphon works by natural force (gravity and air pressure).
- ✓NOT like "pour" (directly tipping liquid), siphon moves liquid through a tube without spilling.
- ✓When used as a verb, it often means taking money or resources secretly, not just moving water.
Try Other Words
- •Drain: to remove liquid from a place (Use when the focus is on emptying or removing liquid, not the method)
- •Transfer: to move something from one place to another (Use when talking about moving liquids or other things generally)
- •Pump: to move liquid using a machine (Use when mechanical help is involved, unlike siphon)
- •Extract: to take something out carefully (Use when focusing on taking something out, often secretly or gradually)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix) "siphon" comes as a whole word
- •Etymology: From Greek "siphōn," meaning tube or pipe used to draw off liquid
- •Historical development: Used since ancient times to describe curved tubes that move liquid by gravity
- •Modern usage: Still means the tube or the action of moving liquid quietly or secretly, also used metaphorically for taking resources
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of situations where using a siphon is better than pouring liquid directly? Why?
•How does the idea of "siphoning" apply when talking about money or resources, not just liquids?
Fill in the blanks
1.To move the water without spilling, they used a siphon ___ the bucket and the lower container.
2.When someone siphons fuel, they usually do it ___ so no one notices.
3.A siphon works because liquid moves from a ___ place to a ___ place using gravity.
4.Unlike pouring, siphoning uses a ___ to move liquid quietly and slowly.
5.The company was caught siphoning money ___ its accounts for personal use.
6.You cannot siphon liquid if the tube is not ___ properly between the two containers.
7.When the siphon starts, the liquid will continue to flow ___ someone stops it or the source runs out.