exit

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ex·it | \ ˈeg-zət

, ˈek-sət

Definition of exit

(Entry 1 of 3)

—used as a stage direction to specify who goes off stage

exit

noun

Definition of exit (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a departure from a stage

2a : the act of going out or away made an early exit

b : death

3 : a way out of an enclosed place or space

4 : one of the designated points of departure from an expressway

exit

verb

exited; exiting; exits

Definition of exit (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to go out or away : depart

2 : die

transitive verb

1 : leave sense 3a

2 : to cause (a computer program or routine) to cease running

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Other Words from exit Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing exit Learn More About exit

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Examples of exit in a Sentence

Noun Use the emergency exit in case of fire. There are 12 exits in the building. We can't get out this way: the sign says “No Exit.” Verb The team exited the tournament early. Save your work and then exit the program.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun On par with La Réserve and a little out of the way at the exit of St Tropez right on the seafront, the Cheval Blanc is a hotel of high points but with a relaxed atmosphere that’s popular with families looking for some downtime. — Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 13 May 2022 Even with the early exit, Buscaino played a role in influencing the debate over the campaign’s biggest issues: crime and homelessness. — Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022 On the Kentucky Exposition Center, facing I-65 South just passed the Crittenden Drive exit. — Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 10 May 2022 Soon, Lewis’ friends and family started to head for the exit. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 9 May 2022 One juvenile broke the vehicle window and started to drive away, ramming another vehicle [i]n the yard blocking the exit. — Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 6 May 2022 Rice pulled and pushed on the foal’s forelegs like a crane operator working her gears until the legs were aimed for the exit. — New York Times, 6 May 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, subsequent sanctions on Russia and the exit of Western oil and gas companies from the country sent prices soaring, and fossil fuel companies are reaping the rewards. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 5 May 2022 According to the Kremlin, Putin said that the Russian military was ready to ensure the safe exit of civilians from the plant. — Hadas Gold, Katharina Krebs And Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 5 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Such a buyout, though unusual in Japan’s traditional corporate culture, could enable the investors to exit their Toshiba investments relatively quickly with a profit. — Megumi Fujikawa, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022 Bus surveillance video released by police five days after the incident occurred shows Fournier starting to exit the bus with a large foldable cart when Bishop shoves him from behind with both her hands. — NBC News, 19 Feb. 2022 The shopper goes to the site for meal inspiration but may exit with a cart of groceries if the right shoppability tech is available. — Yuni Sameshima, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2022 Seven San Ramon police officers pulled over Badr, screaming at him to exit the car with his hands up, according to the lawsuit. — Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2022 Tough-minded critics exit the venue with elated grins. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021 To his critics, Mr. Khalilzad enabled a peace process that was little more than a fig leaf for Mr. Trump’s determination to exit Afghanistan swiftly, with little regard for the fate of its government or people. — New York Times, 18 Oct. 2021 Both starter Luke McCaffrey and backup Wiley Green appeared to exit the game with head injuries. — Ross Fisher, Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2021 Officials recently began citing an earlier date -- late August -- by which the last remaining troops would exit the country, with a small contingent left behind to protect diplomatic facilities. — Kevin Liptak, CNN, 8 July 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of exit

Script annotation

circa 1548, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

History and Etymology for exit

Script annotation

borrowed from Latin, third person singular present indicative of exeō, exīre "to come or go out," from ex- ex- entry 1 + īre "to go" — more at issue entry 1

Noun

in part derivative of exit entry 1 or exit entry 3, in part borrowed from Latin exitus "act of going out, departure, means of departure, way out, final point, conclusion," from exi-, variant stem of exīre "to come or go out" (from ex- ex- entry 1 + īre "to go") + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at issue entry 1