as in pipe
a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas)
a penstock carried water for the waterwheel
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penstock
That plate sealed the opening of the penstock (water delivery tube) and holds back water from the reservoir.
—
Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the water agency, the failure involved a 15-foot-diameter section of penstock pipe between a butterfly valve and a concrete thrust block before the pipe extended down a steep hillside to the powerhouse.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Water floods down each penstock at 100 cubic metres per second.
—Chris Baraniuk, Wired News, 18 Dec. 2025
Species stocked in Lake Powell for sporting purposes swam the reservoir for decades without creating a clear threat to the river below until the warm surface water sank nearer the hydropower intakes, called penstocks.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Brenda Burman, general manager of the Central Arizona Project, presented a diagram showing the dam’s eight large tubes, called penstocks, that water normally passes through, as well as the smaller outlet pipes that enable water releases at low reservoir levels.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
The penstock flows powered the turbines that turned shafts activating the top-side generators.
—Charles R. Morris, WSJ, 21 June 2018
Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the water agency, the failure involved a 15-foot-diameter section of penstock pipe between a butterfly valve and a concrete thrust block before the pipe extended down a steep hillside to the powerhouse.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Water floods down each penstock at 100 cubic metres per second.
—Chris Baraniuk, Wired News, 18 Dec. 2025
Species stocked in Lake Powell for sporting purposes swam the reservoir for decades without creating a clear threat to the river below until the warm surface water sank nearer the hydropower intakes, called penstocks.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Brenda Burman, general manager of the Central Arizona Project, presented a diagram showing the dam’s eight large tubes, called penstocks, that water normally passes through, as well as the smaller outlet pipes that enable water releases at low reservoir levels.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
The penstock flows powered the turbines that turned shafts activating the top-side generators.
—Charles R. Morris, WSJ, 21 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penstock
Noun
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Remaining work includes completing ceiling refinishing; final plastering and painting; flooring and carpet installation; reinstalling lighting and radiant heating systems; reinstalling the organ, pipes and trumpets; and final inspections, cleaning and occupancy approvals.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Items submerged for centuries As well as evidence of the battle, Uldum and his colleagues also discovered a host of objects linked to the Dannebroge’s crew, including shoes, fragments of clothing, clay pipes and uniform insignia.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Art biennials such as Dak’Art emerged in Africa within this climate of possibility, establishing themselves as vital conduits between the continent and international contemporary art discourse.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Suzuki said bench coach John Gibbons, who is the conduit between the manager and Angels staffers looking at the replay, said the timing of the challenge decision was close.—
Jay Cohen,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The graphics are a perfect facsimile of decades-old Weather Channel telecasts, complete with a crop fit for a tube TV.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
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Once concerns for medical abuse were established, staff stopped tube feeds, though the tube was not removed before discharge.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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My administration will establish clear policy that bans deputy gangs and gang-like behavior, protect whistleblowers, and create safe, independent channels to report misconduct.—
Opinion Staff,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Prior to word of the first service member's rescue, social media footage showed American drones, aircraft and helicopters flying over the mountainous region where a TV channel affiliated with Iranian state television said earlier that at least one pilot bailed out of the fighter jet.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penstock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penstock. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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