leak
verb
\ ĖlÄk
\
\
leaked;
leaking;
leaks
Definition of leak
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: to enter or escape through an opening usually by a fault or mistake
fumes leak in
b
: to let a substance or light in or out through an opening
The roof was leaking.
2a
: to become known despite efforts at concealment
confidential information leaked out
b
: to be the source of an information leak
1
: to permit to enter or escape through or as if through a leak
The roof leaks water.
2
: to give out (information) surreptitiously
leaked the story to the press
leak
nounDefinition of leak (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: a crack or hole that usually by mistake admits or lets escape
b
: something that permits the admission or escape of something else usually with prejudicial effect
2
: the act, process, or an instance of leaking
3
sometimes vulgar
: an act of urinating
—used especially in the phrase take a leak
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Other Words from leak
Verb
leaker
\ ĖlÄ-kÉr
\
noun
\
noun
Noun
leakproof
\ ĖlÄk-ĖprĆ¼f
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of leak in a Sentence
Verb
The boat was leaking water. The cracked pipe leaked fumes into the room. Fumes leaked through the crack in the pipe. Air leaked out of the tire. Water was leaking through a hole in the roof. Someone leaked the story to the press.Noun
The boat had developed a bad leak. The landlord said he would fix the leak in the roof. a slow leak of the chemical When a reporter revealed classified information, the source of the leak was investigated. Security is high because of a fear of leaks before negotiations have been finished.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Dappled sunlight leaked through poplar trees full of birdsong. — Stanley Stewart, CondĆ© Nast Traveler, "From Buenos Aires to the Chilean Coast: A Road Trip Across South America," 22 Aug. 2019 Watching Bryce escape justice in season 2, even after the tape of Bryceās confession was leaked to the school, could be enough to push Clay over the edge. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, "Who kills Bryce Walker in 13 Reasons Why season 3? Here are the likeliest suspects," 21 Aug. 2019 Ortagus did not name the diplomat or elaborate on what details were allegedly leaked. — Amy Gunia / Hong Kong, Time, "U.S. Calls Beijing 'Thuggish Regime' for 'Harassing' American Diplomat Who Met Pro-Democracy Activists," 9 Aug. 2019 My little fists always squeezed so tight the cone would crumple, all the ice cream leaking out. — Beatrix M. Rooney, Longreads, "Heartbreaker," 9 Aug. 2019 Billie said that her family's home address was recently leaked online, causing a host of other issues. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Billie Eilish Opened Up About Depression, Fame and a āCreepy Older Guyā Showing Up At Her House In a New Interview," 1 Aug. 2019 When a cache of sensitive, embarrassing U.S. diplomatic cables was leaked nine years ago, a chill ran down the spine of many ambassadors and their staffs. — Tracy Wilkinson, latimes.com, "Trump's strong reaction to leak of British memos puts a chill on diplomacy," 11 July 2019 Darroch had become embroiled in controversy after a cache of secret diplomatic cables were leaked to a British tabloid over the weekend. — Author: William Booth, Josh Daswey, Anchorage Daily News, "British ambassador to US resigns after leak of diplomatic cables," 10 July 2019 Nike had already produced and shipped the sneakers before deciding to cancel their sale, and pairs had started to leak onto StockX last week. — Marc Bain, Quartzy, "StockX ends sales of Nikeās recalled July 4 shoes citing company values," 2 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Two houses in Rancho Bernardoās Westwood neighborhood were evacuated early Monday afternoon due to a natural gas leak at a nearby home under fumigation. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Homes evacuated in Rancho Bernardo due to gas leak," 17 July 2017 After checking ducts, evaluate all the windows and doors for leaks and cracks, and add new weather stripping if necessary. — Cincinnati.com, "Column: Summer weatherization to keep you cool," 30 June 2017 If the container uses ice packs, it must be sealed and in a leak-proof container with the contents clearly marked. — Cynthia Drescher, CNT, "TSA Finds 20-Pound Lobster in Checked Bag," 27 June 2017 At 3:23 p.m., BGE had mitigated the leak, fire vehicles were leaving and the Sheriff's Office was preparing to reopen the road, Fire & EMS spokespersons Rich Gardiner and Jenn Chenworth reported on Facebook. — Staff Report, The Aegis, "Bel Air's Moore's Mill Road reopens after gas leak detected Friday afternoon," 2 June 2017 Truth is being mean leaves more leaks in your camp than the titanic and I .. — Christopher Rosen, EW.com, "Ruby Rose says 'being mean doesn't suit me' after Katy Perry tweets," 21 May 2017 But strep also caused a leak in the BBB near the amygdala, the seat of fear and anxiety, and the lateral hypothalamus, where our sense of hunger begins. — Pamela Weintraub, Discover Magazine, "Hidden Invaders," 29 Mar. 2017 For their part, Trump's aides look on many of those holdovers from the last administration with suspicion, blaming them for leaks. — Tampa Bay Times, "Trump chooses McMaster as national security adviser," 20 Feb. 2017 Your Utility Company In the event of a power outage or suspected gas leak, your utility company is better equipped to handle the problem than emergency responders. — Kelly O'sullivan, Woman's Day, "11 Phone Numbers Every Woman Should Have On Speed Dial," 15 Feb. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leak.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for leak
leak
verb
English Language Learners Definition of leak
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to let something (such as a liquid or gas) in or out through a hole in a surface
of a liquid, gas, etc.
: to come in or go out through a hole in a surface
: to give (secret information) to someone so that it becomes known to the public
leak
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of leak (Entry 2 of 2)
: a hole in a surface that lets something (such as a liquid or gas) pass in or out
: an occurrence in which something (such as a liquid or gas) passes through a hole in a surface
: a situation in which people learn about information that is supposed to be secret
See the full definition for leak in the English Language Learners Dictionary
leak
verb
\ ĖlÄk
\
\
leaked;
leaking
Kids Definition of leak