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tunnel

tunnel

56 1.4
A passage dug by an animal to live in or move through
  • noun
  • /ˈtʌnəl/
: madriguera
  • The rabbit dug a long, winding tunnel to create a shelter from predators.
  • dig tunnels
  • underground tunnels
  • tunnel entrances

Examples

  • While exploring the forest, we discovered a small tunnel that led to a hidden burrow.

  • The badger is known for its extensive tunnel systems that stretch for miles underground.

  • In fact, they run down, down the tunnel, sometimes all the way to their nest.

  • Some of these tunnels have been there for many, many years.

  • I know you think you have to end this, but that flooded tunnel, it goes to the main terminal.

  • There were holes in the wall and tunnels that led to the other side.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The animals dig their tunnels in some of the natural mounds that pepper the landscape.

    Academic text (2003)
  • An extensive network of tunnels and bunkers was discovered in Lebanon's southern border district in 2006.

    Academic text (2015)
  • I'm starting a tunnel tomorrow from our garden under the streetcar tracks... and into Mrs. Middleton's terrace.

  • The novel opens with the observation that Toronto "is a city that burrows, tunnels, and turns underground."

    Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

burrow
vstunnel
19 2.7

A hole or tunnel dug in the ground by an animal for shelter

is the term focused on passages used for movement as well as shelter
rabbit hole
vstunnel
9 3.4

A hole in the ground where wild rabbits live and hide

is often a passage dug by various animals for movement or shelter
crawlway
vstunnel
1 7.9

A narrow passage just large enough for a person to crawl through

is more about animal-made shelters rather than human-sized tight passages
rabbit burrow
vstunnel
1 2.3

A hole or tunnel in the ground where small wild animals live

is broader, applying to animal-made passages not only to nests

Antonyms

96 3.9

Making a secret or hidden thing known to people

71 3.4

On the outside or top layer of something

Idioms

A sign that a hard time will soon end or get better

Compounds

tunnel vision
  • Specialized
13 7.1

Loss of side vision so you can only see what is in front

wind tunnel
  • Specialized
10 4.4

A large machine that moves air to test how it affects objects like cars or planes

A passage built under the ground for people or vehicles to pass through

7 3.5

A feeling of pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand caused by a nerve being squeezed in the wrist

carpal tunnel
  • Specialized
2 3.5

A narrow passage on the palm side of the wrist that carries nerves and tendons

A train tunnel under the sea that connects England and France

1 3.5

A tunnel built for trains to pass through hills or under cities

1 9.3

People who travel into a city from outside to go out for fun

How Big

warren
2 6.3
tunnel
56 1.4
burrow
19 2.7
hole
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

tunnel singular
tunnels plural

Etymology

Tunnel comes from an old French word tonnel meaning 'barrel'. People used the idea of a long tube or barrel-shaped hole for many things, which is why holes animals dig for homes are also called tunnels.