vent
1an opening, as in a wall, serving as an outlet for air, smoke, fumes, or the like.
an opening at the earth's surface from which volcanic material, as lava, steam, or gas, is emitted.
Zoology. the anal or excretory opening of animals, especially of those below mammals, as birds and reptiles.
the small opening at the breech of a gun by which fire is communicated to the charge.
a means of exit or escape; an outlet, as from confinement.
expression; utterance; release: to give vent to one's emotions.
Obsolete. the act or fact of venting; emission or discharge.
to give free play or expression to (an emotion, passion, etc.): to vent rage.
to give public utterance to: to vent one's opinions.
to relieve by giving expression to something: He vented his disappointment by criticizing his successor.
to release or discharge (liquid, smoke, etc.).
to furnish or provide with a vent or vents.
to be relieved of pressure or discharged by means of a vent.
(of an otter or other animal) to rise to the surface of the water to breathe.
Origin of vent
1Other words from vent
- ventless, adjective
- un·vent·ed, adjective
Words Nearby vent
Other definitions for vent (2 of 2)
a slit in the back or side of a coat, jacket, or other garment, at the bottom part of a seam.
Origin of vent
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use vent in a sentence
At the bottom of this ocean world it is conceivable that we might find hydrothermal vents and ocean floor volcanoes.
The Four Most Promising Worlds for Alien Life in the Solar System | Gareth Dorrian | September 24, 2020 | Singularity HubOther scientists, however, place the starting point for Earth’s life underwater, at the deep hydrothermal vents where heated, mineral-rich water billows from cracks in the ocean floor.
Life on Earth may have begun in hostile hot springs | Jack J. Lee | September 24, 2020 | Science NewsThere are numerous alternative hypotheses for where life began, beyond terrestrial hot springs and deep-sea vents.
Life on Earth may have begun in hostile hot springs | Jack J. Lee | September 24, 2020 | Science NewsIt’s likely home to a subsurface ocean of liquid water, kept warm through tidal forces, and although Europa would still be a very extreme world, it could host life in the same ways as hydrothermal vents deep in Earth’s oceans.
The 5 best places to explore in the solar system—besides Mars | Neel Patel | August 17, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewThat creates steam that quickly rises and spews through the vent.
Let’s learn about geysers and hydrothermal vents | Sarah Zielinski | April 8, 2020 | Science News For Students
But now everything was a good pretext to vent the rebellious mood.
Brown, meanwhile, took to Twitter to vent his frustration over the incident: And trouble seems to follow Knight wherever he goes.
New Details Emerge in Suge Knight Shooting at Chris Brown's Pre-VMAs Party on the Sunset Strip | Marlow Stern | August 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the midst of riots in Ferguson, Missouri, some residents took to secret-sharing app Whisper to vent.
Embarrassment, Fear, and Anger: Ferguson's Emotional Whispers | Melissa Leon | August 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBritish model takes to Twitter to vent frustrations with aggressive photographers.
Droves of attendees streamed inside to vent their emotions over the course of several days.
David Best Creates a Temple Made of Memories Outside San Francisco | Debra A. Klein | February 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAs night began to settle down over the land, the Queen Elizabeth seemed to feel the time had come to give full vent to her wrath.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonLe lendemain matin, un coup de vent l'emporta tout seul dehors de la chaloupe dans les vagues, et jamais depuis, n'est apparu.
The injured and indignant animal gave vent to a succession of eldritch screams.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsThe good man was merely giving vent to his delight at being under canvas.
Three More John Silence Stories | Algernon BlackwoodFrom time to time Lockhart gave vent to a grim laugh, and Spivin displayed his feelings in a too-amiable smile.
The Garret and the Garden | R.M. Ballantyne
British Dictionary definitions for vent (1 of 2)
/ (vɛnt) /
a small opening for the passage or escape of fumes, liquids, etc
the shaft of a volcano or an aperture in the earth's crust through which lava and gases erupt
the external opening of the urinary or genital systems of lower vertebrates
a small aperture at the breech of old guns through which the charge was ignited
an exit, escape, or passage
give vent to to release (an emotion, passion, idea, etc) in an utterance or outburst
to release or give expression or utterance to (an emotion, idea, etc): he vents his anger on his wife
to provide a vent for or make vents in
to let out (steam, liquid, etc) through a vent
Origin of vent
1Derived forms of vent
- venter, noun
- ventless, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for vent (2 of 2)
/ (vɛnt) /
a vertical slit at the back or both sides of a jacket
(tr) to make a vent or vents in (a jacket)
Origin of vent
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for vent
[ vĕnt ]
An opening, and the conduit leading to it, in the side or at the top of a volcano, permitting the escape of fumes, a liquid, a gas, or steam.
The excretory opening of the digestive tract in animals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Also called cloaca
: See cloaca.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with vent
In addition to the idiom beginning with vent
- vent one's spleen
also see:
- give vent to
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse