drainpipe

Everyday

A drainpipe is a pipe on the outside of a building that carries rainwater from the roof down to the ground or a drain. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography lessons it shows how water is carried away and how rainwater can be collected. In stories, characters climb down drainpipes to escape — but in real life that is very dangerous. Phrases: «climb down a drainpipe», «a blocked drainpipe», «drainpipe trousers» (very narrow ones).

Examples

• Rain gushed out of the drainpipe. tree →
• A bird built a nest at the top of the drainpipe. tree →
• The drainpipe was blocked with leaves. tree →
• In the story, the burglar climbed up the drainpipe. tree →
• Never climb a drainpipe; it can break and you can fall. tree →
• We put a barrel under the drainpipe to collect rainwater. tree →

Note

A compound word: drain + pipe. Also called a «downpipe» or «downspout». Countable. In maths, used in rainwater collecting and capacity problems.