gas-main

gas-main

A worker checks the gas-main in the street.

Definition

Noun: A gas-main is a large underground pipe that carries natural gas or manufactured gas from a central source to smaller pipes that distribute it to homes, businesses, and other buildings for heating, cooking, or other uses.

Usage Examples
  • (A large underground pipe for gas distribution was renewed.)
  • (A damaged large gas pipe led to a dangerous incident.)
  • (Crews are fixing the underground gas pipe under a primary road.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to tap into a gas-main": to connect a new building or system to the main gas supply line.

    • The new factory will tap into the existing gas-main for its energy needs. (They will connect to the main gas pipe.)
  • "gas-main rupture": a sudden break or burst in the main gas pipe, often causing leaks or explosions.

    • The gas-main rupture led to an evacuation of several blocks. (The burst pipe forced people to leave.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Gas (n): a substance like natural gas used as fuel.
    • We use gas for heating our home. (The fuel gas.)
  • Main (n): a principal pipe or cable in a distribution system.
    • The water main burst last winter. (The main water pipe.)
  • Gasline (n): a pipe or system for transporting gas (often synonymous with gas-main but can be smaller).
    • The gasline to the house was installed last month. (The gas pipe to the building.)
Synonyms
  • Gas pipe: a tube for conveying gas.
  • Gas supply line: the pipe that brings gas from the source.
  • Trunk gas line: a large main gas pipe in a network.
Related Idioms
  • "blow a gas-main": (informal) to cause a major gas leak or explosion due to a pipe failure.
    • The construction crew accidentally blew a gas-main, causing a fire. (They damaged the main gas pipe.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • Tap into (a gas-main): to connect to or draw gas from the main pipe.
    • The new housing development will tap into the existing gas-main. (They will connect to the main supply.)