Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device that controls the flow of liquid from a container or pipe: A spigot is a faucet or tap, typically a simple one with a valve to start or stop the flow of liquid, often found on a barrel, cask, or outdoor water container.
   • A plug used to close the hole in a cask or barrel: A spigot can also refer to the stopper or bung itself that seals the opening of a barrel, especially one through which liquid is drawn.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Faucet/Tap):
  • He turned the spigot to fill his watering can from the rain barrel.
  • The old wine cask had a wooden spigot.
• Noun (Plug/Stopper):
  • The cooper inserted a new spigot into the bunghole of the cask.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term spigot is often used interchangeably with faucet or tap, especially in American English, but it frequently implies a simpler, often outdoor or utilitarian device (e.g., on a keg, barrel, or large container) rather than a sophisticated indoor plumbing fixture.
• In technical contexts, a spigot is a type of valve. The phrase "on tap" (meaning available, as in beer or resources) originates from the idea of a keg having its spigot opened and ready to pour.

Variants and Related Words

• Faucet (n): A more common term for a device controlling water flow from a pipe, usually indoors.
• Tap (n): The British English equivalent of "faucet"; also used in the context of barrels.
• Valve (n): A broader term for a device that regulates the flow of a fluid.
• Bung (n): A stopper for closing a hole in a container, closely related to the second meaning of spigot.

Synonyms

• Faucet
• Tap
• Cock (as in stopcock)
• Stopper (for the plug meaning)
• Plug

Idioms and Phrases

• To turn on the spigot: To start the flow of something, often money or information.
  • The government turned on the spending spigot to stimulate the economy.
• To turn off the spigot: To stop the flow of something.
  • The charity had to turn off the funding spigot due to budget cuts.

Noun

1. a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir
2. a plug for a bunghole in a cask