Tunnel Meaning and Definition
Tunnel
Pronunciation
/ˈtʌnəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A submerged or underground passage, usually made of stone or concrete, between two points.
Examples
- They took the tunnel to get to the other side of the city.
- The museum is built on top of an abandoned tunnel.
Synonyms
- Passage
- Underpass
Antonyms
- Bridge
- Overpass
Etymology
The word “tunnel” comes from the Old English “tunnel”, derived from the Proto-Germanic “*tunniliz”, which is related to the Proto-Indo-European “*dhen-” meaning “to stretch” or “to pierce”.
Usage Notes
The word “tunnel” is commonly used to describe underground passageways, such as sewer tunnels or rail tunnels, as well as underwater tunnels, like the Channel Tunnel.
Cultural References
Tunnels have appeared in popular culture in movies such as “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Tunnel”, and in video games like “Resident Evil” and “Tunnel B1”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
There are no common idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word “tunnel”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related in meaning or usage to “tunnel” include “passage”, “underpass”, “bridge”, and “overpass”.
Collocations
Common collocations with the term “tunnel” include “tunnel vision”, “tunnel effect”, and “tunnel bore”.
Frequency of Use
The word “tunnel” is commonly used in modern language, particularly in the context of transportation infrastructure and construction.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word “tunnel” include “tunel”, “tunell”, and “tunneling”.