egress

American  

[ee-gres, ih-gres] / ˈi grɛs, ɪˈgrɛs /

noun

1. the act or an instance of going, especially from an enclosed place.

2. a means or place of going out; an exit.

3. the right or permission to go out.

4. Astronomy. emersion.

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verb (used without object)

1. to go out; emerge.

egress British  

noun

1. Also called: egression.  the act of going or coming out; emergence

2. a way out, such as a path; exit

3. the right or permission to go out or depart

4. astronomy another name for emersion

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verb

1. to go forth; issue

Etymology

Origin of egress

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin ēgressus “an escape, exit,” noun use of past participle of ēgred(ī) “to go out,” from ē- e- ¹ + -gredī, combining form of gradī “to go, step”; cf. grade

Explanation

If you want to leave a place, you need a means of egress, or a way to exit, such as a door or window. It was a beautiful old house, but without enough ways of egress, they needed outdoor fire-stairs for reaching the upper floors. Egress comes from a Latin word meaning "going out." An egress is basically the same thing as an exit. (Egress can also be used as a verb, "to exit," but less frequently than as a noun.) When buildings undergo inspection, one of the main safety features under review is the number and placement of doors and windows, the "means of egress," in case of fire or other emergency.

Example Sentences

In real fires, with darkness, smoke, people in various states of injury impeding one another, falls on stairs, counterflows and hesitation, theoretical egress capacities inferred from other evacuations break down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

Those specific locations would contribute to modulating the viral replication cycle, adaptability, and path of entry and egress.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2024

Those who egress from cults are often assisted by former fellow cult members.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2023

“Ingress and egress are halted. No driving is permitted until the playa surface dries up, with the exception of emergency vehicles,” organizers said in an emailed statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2023

Then I stow the bedroom and go back to the airlock for a normal egress to Mars.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir