exhaust

[ ig-zawst ]

/ ɪgˈzɔst /

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verb (used with object)

to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly, as a person: I have exhausted myself working.

to use up or consume completely; expend the whole of: He exhausted a fortune in stock-market speculation.

to draw out all that is essential in (a subject, topic, etc.); treat or study thoroughly.

to empty by drawing out the contents: to exhaust a tank of fuel oil.

to create a vacuum in.

to draw out or drain off completely.

to deprive wholly of useful or essential properties, possessions, resources, etc.

Chemistry, Pharmacology. to deprive of ingredients by the use of solvents, as a drug.

to destroy the fertility of (soil), as by intensive cultivation.

verb (used without object)

to pass out or escape, as spent steam from the cylinder of an engine.

noun Machinery.

the escape of steam or gases from the cylinder of an engine.

the steam or gases ejected.

Also called exhaust system. the parts of an engine through which the exhaust is ejected.

Nearby words

exfoliative dermatitis, exfoliative gastritis, exhalant, exhalation, exhale, exhausted, exhaust fan, exhaust manifold, exhaust stroke, exhaust system, exhaust trail

Origin of exhaust

1515–25; 1895–1900 for def 11; < Latin exhaustus emptied out, drained out, past participle of exhaurīre

SYNONYMS FOR exhaust

1 tire, enervate, prostrate, debilitate.

2 waste, squander, dissipate.

4 void.

12 fumes, smoke, vapor.

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ANTONYMS FOR exhaust

1 strengthen, invigorate.

4 fill.

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Related forms

ex·haust·er, nounex·haust·i·ble, adjectiveex·haust·i·bil·i·ty, nounmul·ti·ex·haust, noun

non·ex·haust·ed, adjectivenon·ex·haust·i·ble, adjectivepre·ex·haust, verb (used with object)un·ex·haust·ed, adjectiveun·ex·haust·ed·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for exhausted

For me and some of my students, 2014 was the year of rediscovering old resources whose value is not exhausted yet.
American Democracy Under Threat for 250 Years|Jedediah Purdy|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This breach is an extraordinary emotional drag on the exhausted population.
In One Corner of Syria, Christmas Spirit Somehow Manages to Survive|Peter Schwartzstein|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As I forced my exhausted body to exercise, I yelled at my legs like a drill sergeant, demanding five more minutes or one more set.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She is genuinely concerned, of course, that you look so exhausted and old.
How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Alive|Lizzie Crocker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Molendorp is exhausted by the “constant purity exams” being conducted by his fellow party members.
Abortion in Missouri Is the Wait of a Lifetime|Justin Glawe|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our horses were so exhausted and thin that on their bones we could have hung our overcoats.
Beasts, Men and Gods|Ferdinand Ossendowski
A suggestion,' says he, 'may be ever so old; but it is not exhausted until it is acted upon, or rejected on sufficient reason.'
Chambers' Edinburgh Journal|Various
There, pale and exhausted and entirely out of spirits, Graham turned quickly on his brother.
The Sins of the Children|Cosmo Hamilton
Now, however, with diminished numbers and exhausted wealth, they had to face new enemies.
A History of the Inquisition of Spain; vol. 1|Henry Charles Lea
Trouble began to crowd on us the third day of our journey—our little stock of provisions was exhausted.
The White Rose of Memphis|William C. Falkner

British Dictionary definitions for exhausted

exhaust

/ (ɪɡˈzɔːst) /

verb (mainly tr)

to drain the energy of; tire outto exhaust someone by constant questioning

to deprive of resources, etca nation exhausted by war

to deplete totally; expend; consumeto exhaust food supplies

to empty (a container) by drawing off or pumping out (the contents)

to develop or discuss thoroughly so that no further interest remainsto exhaust a topic of conversation

to remove gas from (a vessel, etc) in order to reduce the pressure or create a vacuum; evacuate

to remove or use up the active ingredients from (a drug, solution, etc)

to destroy the fertility of (soil) by excessive cultivation

(intr) (of steam or other gases) to be emitted or to escape from an engine after being expanded

noun

gases ejected from an engine as waste products

the expulsion of expanded gas or steam from an engine
(as modifier)exhaust stroke

the parts of an engine through which the exhausted gases or steam pass
(as modifier)exhaust valve; exhaust pipe

Derived Forms

exhausted, adjectiveexhauster, nounexhaustible, adjectiveexhaustibility, noun

exhausting, adjective

Word Origin for exhaust

C16: from Latin exhaustus made empty, from exhaurīre to draw out, from haurīre to draw, drain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for exhausted (1 of 3)

exhausted

adj.

mid-17c., "consumed, used up;" of persons, "tired out," past participle adjective from exhaust (v.). Related: Exhaustedly.

Word Origin and History for exhausted (1 of 3)

exhaust

1530s, "to draw off or out, to use up completely," from Latin exhaustus, past participle of exhaurire "draw off, take away, use up," from ex- "off" (see ex-) + haurire "to draw up" (as water), from PIE *aus- "to draw water." Of resources, etc., from 1630s. Related: Exhausted; exhausting.

Word Origin and History for exhausted (2 of 3)

exhaust

"waste gas," 1848, originally from steam engines, from exhaust (v.). In reference to internal combustion engines by 1896.

exhaust

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun Machinery.

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Nearby words

Origin of exhaust

Examples from the Web for exhausted

British Dictionary definitions for exhausted

exhaust

verb (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for exhaust

Word Origin and History for exhausted (1 of 3)

exhausted

Word Origin and History for exhausted (1 of 3)

exhaust

Word Origin and History for exhausted (2 of 3)

exhaust