outlet

noun

OWT-let/ˈaʊtlɛt/

5 meanings of outlet

1
nouncountable
A point in a wall where you plug in things that use electricity.
Like a tap on the wall, but it gives you electricity instead of water.
Plug the lamp into the outlet near the door.
All the outlets in the kitchen stopped working after the storm.
Similarsocket, receptacle
2
nouncountable
A store that sells goods from one maker or brand.
Like a brand's own shop, where only their products sit on the shelves.
The company opened a new outlet at the mall.
These outlets sell last season's clothes much cheaper.
Similarstore, shop, retailer
3
nouncountable
A way to let out strong feelings or energy.
Like opening a window to let the steam escape from a hot room.
Painting gives her an outlet for her stress.
Sports can be a good outlet for a child's extra energy.
Similarrelease, channel
Note
4
nouncountable
An opening that lets gas, water, or air escape.
Like the hole in a kettle's lid that lets the steam out.
Smoke escaped through a small outlet in the chimney.
Engineers cleared the outlets that drain the reservoir.
Similarvent, opening, exit, drain
Oppositeinlet, intake
Note
5
nouncountable
The river that flows out of a lake.
Like the drain at one end of a bathtub, letting the water flow away.
The lake's only outlet is a narrow river.
Fish swim downstream through the outlet each spring.
Similaroutflow
Oppositeinlet

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English, from a word meaning "to let out," made from out- plus let.