outpouring
Americannoun
-
outpourings
plural
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of outpouring
1750–60; out- + pouring ( def. )
Explanation
An outpouring is a gush, flow, or fast stream of something. An outpouring of lava from an active volcano would be a bad thing, but an outpouring of support from the community would be a very good thing. A literal outpouring is something you can actually see, like an outpouring of water from a hose. It's actually more common to use outpouring figuratively, as in an outpouring of community support for a family of refugees or an outpouring of new work by a prolific artist. This noun dates from the fifteenth century, when it was first used to describe "a pouring out of spiritual things."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
His death has prompted an outpouring of love from the community he proudly called home, along with is beloved Huddersfield Town - the club he followed from childhood.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
Odinga's death at 80 prompted an outpouring of grief across Kenya.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
Their deaths sparked an outpouring of grief and condemnation in Australia and the United States.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
Last year, when the Crunchwrap—Taco Bell’s beloved toasted hexagonal foodstuff—turned 20, it inspired a grande-sized outpouring of affection.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
She knew she’d get an outpouring of love and support.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
The deaths of former premier Zhou Enlai in 1976 and Hu Yaobang, a former CCP general secretary, in 1989, prompted widespread outpourings of grief that morphed into protests.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Every song in her discographical universe matters, and any surprise song she chooses will invariably educe outpourings of jubilation.
From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2023
Such online outpourings of grief often presage additional violence, said Desmond Patton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who studies social media and firearm violence.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 2, 2023
And just as with Delvey, whose story spawned dueling TV series and endless outpourings of ironic adulation, the fascination with Santos has now taken on an air of mordant admiration.
From Slate ● May 16, 2023
Harry was an indispensable part of the mingled outpourings of jubilation and mourning, of grief and celebration.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
