outlet

American  

[out-let, -lit] / ˈaʊt lɛt, -lɪt /

noun

• outlets
  plural

1. an opening or passage by which anything is let out; vent; exit.

2. Electricity.

   1. a point on a wiring system at which current is taken to supply electric devices.

   2. Also called outlet box.  the metal box or receptacle designed to facilitate connections to a wiring system.

3. a means of expression or satisfaction.

   an outlet for one's artistic impulses.

4. a market for goods.

5. a store, merchant, or agency selling the goods of a particular wholesaler or manufacturer.

6. a local radio or television station that broadcasts the programs of a large network.

7. a river or stream flowing from a body of water, as a lake or pond.

8. the channel such a river or stream follows.

9. the lower end or mouth of a river where it meets a large body of water, as a lake or the sea.

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outlet British  

/ ˈaʊtlɛt, -lɪt /

noun

1. an opening or vent permitting escape or release

2. a means for release or expression of emotion, creative energy, etc

3. 1. a market for a product or service

   2. a commercial establishment retailing the goods of a particular producer or wholesaler

4. 1. a channel that drains a body of water

   2. the mouth of a river

5. a point in a wiring system from which current can be taken to supply electrical devices

6. anatomy the beginning or end of a passage, esp the lower opening of the pelvis ( pelvic outlet )

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• outlets
  plural

Etymology

Origin of outlet

First recorded in 1200–50, outlet is from the Middle English word utlete. See out, let ¹

Explanation

Any hole or opening that allows water or gas to get out is an outlet. The place where water runs out of a lake and into a river is one example of an outlet. When you need to charge your laptop, you plug it into an electrical outlet, which gets its name from the idea that electricity comes out of it, just as water flows out of a river outlet. Outlet is also used to mean "store that sells discounted goods" and "a way to express yourself emotionally creatively." Dancing might be your outlet, for example — the way you let your feelings and creativity out.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outlet outlets

Earlier, Yeo told Singapore news outlet Channel News Asia that he had patted the little girl's head because she "was very adorable".

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Sunpark manages a variety of restaurant chains, including Takagi Coffee, which is famous for its fluffy soufflé pancakes and has an outlet in Beverly Grove.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Yabloko offered a potential outlet to express their discontent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

The news outlet Axios reported earlier that Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and go-to mediator for the Middle East and Russia, will head to Israel and Egypt next week for talks on the situation in Gaza.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

The inmate, I knew, could plug it into the outlet in his cell, place a pan on it, and do some home cooking.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

There are still transparency laws that apply to Flock databases, which is how 404 Media and other media outlets have discovered abuses of the technology.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026

It was on July 30, according to the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets, that Citadel purchased Situational Awareness’s portfolio of public equities, so the hedge fund could meet a margin call.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

Some media outlets including Mac Rumors saw the increase as a sign that price hikes were imminent for iPhone 17.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Judge Gregory Carro also dismissed concerns raised by the defense about limited public access to the trial, even though more than 80 media outlets and many supporters of the defendant are expected to attend.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

First one hole, then another, no bigger than a finger’s width, until the water eroded the sides and the outlets grew large enough for two fists to go through.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Related Words

• market
• shop
• showroom