exit

1 of 3

script annotation

Synonyms of exitnext
used as a stage direction to specify who goes off stage

exit

2 of 3

noun

1
: a departure from a stage
2
a
: 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
exitless adjective

exit

3 of 3

verb

exited; exiting; exits

intransitive verb

1
: to go out or away : depart
2
: die

transitive verb

1
2
: to cause (a computer program or routine) to cease running

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
West There has been a crash on westbound US-50 West from exit 83 to I-35 South. Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026 The commission endorsed such provisions as requiring potential large customers to sign service and interconnection agreements before they’re included in a utility’s load forecast; minimum-term contracts; and exit fees if the customer ends its service before the end of the contract. Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The bolt reportedly entered the victim’s face just below his left eye and exited the back of his head. Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026 The series was co-created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, though it was previously revealed that Druckmann was exiting the show ahead of Season 3. Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exit

Word History

Etymology

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

Verb

derivative of exit entry 1 or exit entry 2

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of exit was circa 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exit. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

exit

1 of 3
used as a stage direction to indicate who goes off the stage

exit

2 of 3 noun
1
: a departure from a stage
2
: the act of going out or away
3
: a way to go out of a place

exit

3 of 3 verb
: to go out : leave, depart
Etymology

from Latin exit "he or she goes out," from exire "to go out," from ex- "out of, from" and ire "to go" — related to issue, itinerary

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