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:
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the public response to Patrick’s death, and while I’m not at all surprised that he touched so many, I’m sincerely moved by the outpouring of sadness and loss,” she wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2026
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
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led an outpouring of support for Haines, who was widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 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
I was far too engrossed by the outpouring of love I was receiving from my hometown.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
But none of these rules exist on the internet, where children exchange details, speculation and outpourings of grief unsupervised.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2023
Those watching Chinese social media platforms will be monitoring the outpourings of sadness and shock online, as ordinary people remember him.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2023
Every song in her discographical universe matters, and any surprise song she chooses will invariably educe outpourings of jubilation.
From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2023
The outpourings have made him feel that he has lived—and was still living—a worthy life.
From Slate ● Jun. 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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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
