pipeline
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pipeline
A long line of pipes used to transport liquids or gases such as crude oil or natural gas over long distances.
Die neue Pipeline soll die Energieversorgung für die nächsten Jahrzehnte sichern.
The new pipeline is intended to secure the energy supply for the coming decades.
'Pipeline' is an English loanword made up of 'pipe' and 'line'. The literal meaning 'Rohrleitung' (pipeline/pipe system) is therefore directly recognizable.
Durch die Pipeline fließt Erdgas von der Küste ins Landesinnere.
Natural gas flows through the pipeline from the coast to the interior of the country.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If it is about 'Produkte' (products), 'Projekte' (projects), 'Ideen' (ideas), or 'Software' (software), it refers to the development process. If it is about 'Öl' (oil), 'Gas' (gas), or 'Wasser' (water), it refers to the pipe system.
Die Ingenieure überwachen den Druck in der Pipeline.
The engineers monitor the pressure in the pipeline.
In connection with the pipe system, the verbs 'eine Pipeline bauen' (to build a pipeline), 'eine Pipeline verlegen' (to lay a pipeline), or 'etwas durch eine Pipeline leiten' (to route something through a pipeline) are often used.
Es ist geplant, eine neue Pipeline durch die Ostsee zu verlegen.
There are plans to lay a new pipeline through the Baltic Sea.
The figurative meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'etwas in der Pipeline haben' (to have something in the pipeline). It means that something is being planned or prepared.
Ich habe gehört, die Band hat schon ein neues Album in der Pipeline.
I heard the band already has a new album in the pipeline.
management / line
'die Leitung' and 'die Pipeline' can both mean a system of pipes through which liquids or gas flow. 'Leitung' is the more general word. It can be small or large and can also be used for water, electricity, or data. 'Pipeline' usually means a long pipeline for crude oil or natural gas, often over long distances. Learners may confuse the words because a pipeline is also a type of 'Leitung'. But not every 'Leitung' is a pipeline. For a house or a city, you usually say 'Leitung'; for oil or gas over long distances, you are more likely to say 'Pipeline'.
Die neue Pipeline soll Erdgas bis zur Küste transportieren.
The new pipeline is intended to transport natural gas to the coast.
Wegen einer kaputten Leitung gibt es heute kein warmes Wasser.
Because of a broken pipe, there is no hot water today.