Chute

/ʃuːt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A sloping channel or slide for conveying things to a lower level.

The children enjoyed sliding down the chute at the playground.

A device, often constructed of canvas or plastic, that allows a person or object to descend from a higher to a lower level, typically used in parachuting.

The skydiver checked his chute before jumping out of the plane.

A structure designed for directing the flow of water or material downward.

The water flowed down the chute into the reservoir.

A passage or channel that allows items to be moved from one level to another, commonly used in industrial settings.

The factory used a chute to move products from the assembly line to the packaging area.

Etymology

From French 'chuter', meaning 'to fall'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

firefighter's chute

A chute used by firefighters for quick descent.

laundry chute

A vertical shaft for sending laundry down to a lower level.

water slide chute

A water slide designed for recreation.

Related Words

slide

An inclined surface for sliding down.

slope

A surface that is at an angle to the horizontal.

fall

To drop down from a higher position.

Slang Meanings

A colloquial term for a failure or drop in status.

After the scandal, his career took a chute.

To leave quickly or sneak away.

He decided to chute out of the party early.