outflow

[ out-floh ]

noun

1. the act of flowing flow out:

   We need flood control to stem the river's outflow.

2. something that flows out:

   to measure the outflow in gallons per minute.

3. any outward movement:

   the annual outflow of tourists.

outflow

/ ˈaʊtˌfləʊ /

noun

1. anything that flows out, such as liquid, money, ideas, etc
2. the amount that flows out
3. the act or process of flowing out

Word History and Origins

Origin of outflow¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; out- + flow

Example Sentences

In the northeast corner of California, fires are often driven by the outflow from thunderstorms.

From Nautilus

Information outflow – Science News, June 5, 1971The United States’ population is growing at a rate of one percent a year, and even with lower fertility rates this trend will probably continue.

From Science News

In the years just before the pandemic, the state of Oklahoma had its worst population outflow in years, as college graduates kept moving away.

From Freakonomics

“I hope that we can work collaboratively together because I think spending that money binationally will give us a much better result than spending it at the point of the outflow of the river,” he said.

From Voice of San Diego

With storms generally approaching from the west at the mid-latitudes and sunrises always in the east, a colorful sunrise typically requires high-level outflow clouds, portending a storm system on the way.

From Washington Post

I was really surprised by the outflow of people who emailed and texted and stuff.

From The Daily Beast

Putty-colored or "acholic" stools occur when bile is deficient, either from obstruction to outflow or from deficient secretion.

From Project Gutenberg

Exercises to strengthen muscles, promote complete expansion, regulate inflow and outflow of air, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Twelve years ago the outflow had been so abundant that the channel could not be passed except by the bridge.

From Project Gutenberg

In some mysterious manner the outflow of motor impulses to the throat muscles is governed by the nervous and emotional states.

From Project Gutenberg

And in this sense I have no antagonism towards any religious belief, but a strong outflow of sympathy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• discharge