outpouring

American  

[out-pawr-ing, -pohr-] / ˈaʊtˌpɔr ɪŋ, -ˌpoʊr- /

noun

1. something that pours out or is poured out; an outflow, overflow, or effusion.

   an outpouring of sympathy from her friends.

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outpouring British  

/ ˈaʊtˌpɔːrɪŋ /

noun

1. a passionate or exaggerated outburst; effusion

2. another word for outpour outpour

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Etymology

Origin of outpouring

1750–60; out- + pouring ( def. )

Explanation

An outpouring is a gush, flow, or fast stream of something. An outpouring of lava from an active volcano would be a bad thing, but an outpouring of support from the community would be a very good thing. A literal outpouring is something you can actually see, like an outpouring of water from a hose. It's actually more common to use outpouring figuratively, as in an outpouring of community support for a family of refugees or an outpouring of new work by a prolific artist. This noun dates from the fifteenth century, when it was first used to describe "a pouring out of spiritual things."

Example Sentences

“One of the most heartening parts of this past year for me has been the outpouring of support I’ve received from women,” she declared in the video.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

It also brought an outpouring of job seekers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

The organizer posted that the event had been canceled, and the comments section was filled with an outpouring of shock and grief.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

"The outpouring of sympathy shows how deeply the animal's fate moves people," Backhaus said.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The following 1,500 years saw the outpouring of Chinese technological inventions, mentioned in Chapter 13, that included paper, the compass, the wheelbarrow, and gunpowder.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• deluge
• flood
• outburst
• spurt
• torrent