outlet

American  

[out-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

Etymology

Origin of outlet

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

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

"The only outlet in Gaza is the sea; without it, life would have vanished long ago."

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

“Pods are dispersed on the site to celebrate the landscape, reduce building bulk, encourage connection to outdoors and frame key views,” a planning application viewed by the outlet stated.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 22, 2026

Burden has given women across the country an outlet to be angry together at a specific target—her ex-husband—as proxy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

I recognized the name as Frank’s lawyer, and he said, ‘Mickey, this is Tom Dreesen. I think Tom would make a great opening act for Frank Sinatra,’” he recounted to the outlet.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

Francie was ten years old when she first found an outlet in writing.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

• market
• shop
• showroom