hosepipe

Everyday

(UK, Ireland) A long, bendy rubber or plastic tube for carrying water, used to water gardens or wash cars; in the US, Canada and Australia usually just «hose». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday British life a «hosepipe ban» is a rule against using hosepipes during a drought to save water. In science and geography it links to water saving. In summer, children play with hosepipes and sprinklers. Phrases: hosepipe ban, turn on the hosepipe.

Examples

• Dad watered the tomatoes with the hosepipe. tree →
• There's a hosepipe ban because it hasn't rained for weeks. tree →
• We sprayed each other with the hosepipe on the hot day. tree →
• Coil up the hosepipe so nobody trips over it. tree →
• A hosepipe can use hundreds of litres of water an hour. tree →
• The car was washed with a bucket during the hosepipe ban. tree →

Note

One word in British English. Plural: hosepipes. In American, Canadian and Australian English people usually say «hose» or «garden hose». In maths: if a hosepipe uses 10 litres a minute, 15 minutes uses 150 litres.