Standard Lemma guide

tailpipe

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈteɪlpaɪp/
  • CMU ARPABET: T EY1 L P AY2 P Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An exhaust pipe exhausting to the aft of the vehicle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles

Examples

  • Holonym: exhaust system
  • This car doesn't have a tailpipe because it has sidepipes instead.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: exhaust pipe, pipe

2

noun

Meaning 2

An exhaust pipe (on a vehicle) (in any configuration).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, especially

Examples

  • Today's cars emit less NoX at the tailpipe than their 20th-century predecessors did.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To fasten an object to the tail of (an animal) as a prank.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

a pipe carrying fumes from the muffler to the rear of a car

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: pipe, pipage, piping

History

Etymology

From tail + pipe.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: ауспух (auspuh) — exhaust pipe
  • French: pot d'échappement — exhaust pipe
  • Italian: tubo di scarico — exhaust pipe
  • Italian: tubo di scappamento — exhaust pipe
  • Polish: rura wydechowa — exhaust pipe
  • Portuguese: escapamento — exhaust pipe
  • Portuguese: tubo de escape — exhaust pipe
  • Russian: выхлопна́я труба́ (vyxlopnája trubá) — exhaust pipe
  • Spanish: tubo de escape — exhaust pipe
Real reading context

tailpipe in complete knowledge articles