noun
header
A pipe that collects or distributes fluid through connected pipes.
The header distributes hot water to several smaller heating pipes.
Etymology
The pipe’s name uses head for a principal gathering or distributing point. Smaller pipes connect with it as branches of the same fluid system.
More examples
- Water from each cooling line flows into a common header.
- A steam header supplies several machines in the factory.
- The technician checks both headers for leaks.
Forms
header · headers
Similar words
- manifold
- May be a chamber or block rather than a pipe.
- collector
- Specifically gathers flow from several lines rather than distributing it.