outlet

American  

[aut-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

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Etymology

Origin of outlet

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

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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

The reviews so far have gone some way to allaying his fear, with US outlet IGN calling it an "exceptional remake of an incredible game and a rich adventure that stands on its own".

From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026

Brazilian news outlet O Tempo reported the military police were called, external because of extensive damage to the Parque do Sabia Stadium.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

In a tribute on the country music-focused website, her colleague Evan Paul related the story of first meeting Nicole and her sisters and his later interactions with her at the media outlet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

That gives investors a larger outlet for selling those securities while the Federal Reserve is trying to keep financial conditions tight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

“My niece bought this at one of them outlet malls she likes.”

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

In a statement cited by French media outlets in October, the company said most refrigeration systems affected by the initial wave of attacks were either obsolete or running outdated software.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

The post did not cause major news outlets to send alerts.

From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2026

Just a few months later in July, the trust said that during testing of water outlets, high levels of pseudomonas aeruginosa were discovered in the water system.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

A few miles later, Steve Apa told the outlets, he started receiving texts from his daughter that said things like “ugh” and “ow.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

The team laid an electric cable along the floor throughout the building, strung with outlets, like a cord for Christmas-tree lights.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

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Related Words

• market
• shop
• showroom

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