WordGarden.iohosepipe
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈəʊspaɪp/
US
Meanings
Noun
a flexible tube used to carry water, especially for watering a garden
Beyond the definition
A hosepipe, sometimes just called a "hose", is that long, bendy tube you use to carry water over a distance. Think of watering the flowerbeds, washing the car, or filling a paddling pool on a sunny afternoon. It is most often linked with gardening, but it is useful any time you need to move water from a tap to a certain spot. It is usually made of rubber or flexible plastic and comes in different lengths and widths. You might hear some older people call it a "rubber hose" - it means the same handy tool. Just watch out for kinks or leaks, which can turn a simple job into a muddy mess.
A hosepipe is a flexible tube designed to carry water from a source to a chosen place. In British English, "hosepipe" is the standard term, while in American English, you will almost always hear it called a "garden hose." It is a common part of home life, used for everything from reviving a dry lawn to cleaning off a dusty patio.
Beyond the garden, similar tubes are also used in construction for dust control and in agriculture for small-scale irrigation. In the past, these pipes were often made of natural rubber, which was heavy and prone to cracking. Modern hosepipes, however, are usually made from durable synthetic materials like PVC or reinforced, multi-layered rubber so they can handle high water pressure and rough use.
One especially British use of the word appears in the phrase "hosepipe ban". In the UK, during periods of drought, local water companies may bring in these bans to save water, stopping people from using hosepipes for non-essential tasks like washing cars or watering private gardens. That shows how this simple tool can become part of bigger conversations about saving resources and using water responsibly. So, the next time you see one neatly coiled in a shed, remember that it is more than just a tube - it is a practical tool that connects the water supply to everyday tasks.
Examples
- 1
Garden watering
She dragged the hosepipe across the lawn to water the tomatoes.
- Usage
mainly British English; in American English, people usually say garden hose
- 2
Water flow
There's a kink in the hosepipe, so the water isn't coming through properly.
- 3
Drought restrictions
During the summer drought, the council introduced a hosepipe ban.
- Phrasehosepipe ban
an official rule that stops people using hosepipes outdoors
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hosepipenoun