leak

[leek]

noun

1. an unintended hole, crack, or the like, through which liquid, gas, light, etc., enters or escapes.

   a leak in the roof.

2. an act or instance of leaking.

3. any means of unintended entrance or escape.

4. Electricity.,  the loss of current from a conductor, usually resulting from poor insulation.

5. a disclosure of secret, especially official, information, as to the news media, by an unnamed source.

verb (used without object)

1. to let a liquid, gas, light, etc., enter or escape, as through an unintended hole or crack.

   The boat leaks.

2. to pass in or out in this manner, as liquid, gas, or light.

   gas leaking from a pipe.

3. to become known unintentionally (usually followed byout ).

   The news leaked out.

4. to disclose secret, especially official, information anonymously, as to the news media.

   The official revealed that he had leaked to the press in the hope of saving his own reputation.

verb (used with object)

1. to let (liquid, gas, light, etc.) enter or escape.

   This camera leaks light.

2. to allow to become known, as information given out covertly.

   to leak the news of the ambassador's visit.

leak

/ liːk /

noun

1. 1. a crack, hole, etc, that allows the accidental escape or entrance of fluid, light, etc

   2. such escaping or entering fluid, light, etc

2. to develop a leak

3. something resembling this in effect

   a leak in the defence system

4. the loss of current from an electrical conductor because of faulty insulation, etc

5. a disclosure, often intentional, of secret information

6. the act or an instance of leaking

7. a slang word for urination See urination

verb

1. to enter or escape or allow to enter or escape through a crack, hole, etc

2. to disclose (secret information), often intentionally, or (of secret information) to be disclosed

3. (intr) a slang word for urinate

Other Word Forms

• leaker noun
• leakless adjective
• nonleaking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leak¹

1375–1425; 1955–60 leak for def. 11; late Middle English leken < Old Norse leka to drip, leak; akin to Dutch lek, obsolete German lech leaky. See leach ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of leak¹

C15: from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse leka to drip

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take a leak, to urinate.

Example Sentences

A leaked audio clip suggested she had ordered security forces to "use lethal weapons" against protesters.

Read more on BBC

The country had productive water-focused agricultural planning, major cities’ plumbing upgraded to reduce leaks, and several desalination plants—all designed, built and operated by Israelis in partnership with Iranian experts and engineers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Soft-spoken and reserved, he saves his sword-swinging for social media, where he characterizes conference commissioners as “working in the shadows through backroom deals, dirty politics, and media leaks.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The leaked documents circulating online include names, photos, dates of birth, marital status, home addresses and email contacts, according to a US embassy statement issued on Thursday.

Read more on BBC

Reaction to the leaks has been swift -- and strong.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• discharge 
• disclose 
• divulge 
• escape 
• ooze 
• pass on 
• reveal 
• spill 
• trickle