leak

verb

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\ ˈlēk

leaked; leaking; leaks

Definition of leak

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to enter or escape through an opening usually by a fault or mistake fumes leak in

b : to let a substance or light in or out through an opening The roof was leaking.

2a : to become known despite efforts at concealment confidential information leaked out

b : to be the source of an information leak

transitive verb

1 : to permit to enter or escape through or as if through a leak The roof leaks water.

2 : to give out (information) surreptitiously leaked the story to the press

leak

noun

Definition of leak (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a crack or hole that usually by mistake admits or lets escape

b : something that permits the admission or escape of something else usually with prejudicial effect

2 : the act, process, or an instance of leaking

3 sometimes vulgar : an act of urinating —used especially in the phrase take a leak

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Examples of leak in a Sentence

Verb The boat was leaking water. The cracked pipe leaked fumes into the room. Fumes leaked through the crack in the pipe. Air leaked out of the tire. Water was leaking through a hole in the roof. Someone leaked the story to the press. Noun The boat had developed a bad leak. The landlord said he would fix the leak in the roof. a slow leak of the chemical When a reporter revealed classified information, the source of the leak was investigated. Security is high because of a fear of leaks before negotiations have been finished.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Their fear is that information might leak out and foment further dissidence elsewhere; the city is to be sealed off. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "“Dear Comrades!” Is Andrei Konchalovsky’s Masterpiece," 25 Dec. 2020 Meantime, any effort by a Biden Justice Department to transfer staff, dictate outcomes, or shut down the probe would leak and have political costs. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "An Unspecial Counsel for Hunter Biden," 15 Dec. 2020 Aquarium tanks would leak without silicone sealant, kitchen utensils would stick to everything, and Silly Putty would be a Silly Rock—no trademark goopy flow. — David Lumb, Popular Mechanics, "109 Ways Silicon Completely Rules Every Part of Your Life," 9 Dec. 2020 In a hunting or fishing camp, effective puttering is as vital to your well-being as an air mattress that doesn’t leak. — The Editors, Field & Stream, "Our Favorite Projects for Hunting Camp," 8 Oct. 2020 After becoming stranded in the water, some 1,000 tons of fuel began to leak on Aug. 6. — Fox News, "Mauritius oil disaster: Stricken Japanese ship spits apart, remaining fuel spreads into waters," 16 Aug. 2020 The judge ordered Mary Trump and Simon & Schuster, the book's publisher, to appear before him on July 10 and warned them not to leak the contents of the book. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, "Judge sides with Trump's brother to halt president's niece from publishing tell-all book," 30 June 2020 Anticipating this, the Vikings have Ham (#30) leak into the flat for a quick pass. — 3. — Andrew Krammer, Star Tribune, "Film: Vikings nearly fold under Jaguars pressure; blitz-happy Bucs up next," 8 Dec. 2020 Your bones begin to leak calcium, your muscles begin to shrivel, the immune system weakens, and arthritis can set in. — Shi En Kim, Science, "To study aging, scientists are looking to outer space," 2 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Two houses in Rancho Bernardo’s Westwood neighborhood were evacuated early Monday afternoon due to a natural gas leak at a nearby home under fumigation. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Homes evacuated in Rancho Bernardo due to gas leak," 17 July 2017 After checking ducts, evaluate all the windows and doors for leaks and cracks, and add new weather stripping if necessary. — Cincinnati.com, "Column: Summer weatherization to keep you cool," 30 June 2017 If the container uses ice packs, it must be sealed and in a leak-proof container with the contents clearly marked. — Cynthia Drescher, CNT, "TSA Finds 20-Pound Lobster in Checked Bag," 27 June 2017 At 3:23 p.m., BGE had mitigated the leak, fire vehicles were leaving and the Sheriff's Office was preparing to reopen the road, Fire & EMS spokespersons Rich Gardiner and Jenn Chenworth reported on Facebook. — Staff Report, The Aegis, "Bel Air's Moore's Mill Road reopens after gas leak detected Friday afternoon," 2 June 2017 Truth is being mean leaves more leaks in your camp than the titanic and I .. — Christopher Rosen, EW.com, "Ruby Rose says 'being mean doesn't suit me' after Katy Perry tweets," 21 May 2017 But strep also caused a leak in the BBB near the amygdala, the seat of fear and anxiety, and the lateral hypothalamus, where our sense of hunger begins. — Pamela Weintraub, Discover Magazine, "Hidden Invaders," 29 Mar. 2017 For their part, Trump's aides look on many of those holdovers from the last administration with suspicion, blaming them for leaks. — Tampa Bay Times, "Trump chooses McMaster as national security adviser," 20 Feb. 2017 Your Utility Company In the event of a power outage or suspected gas leak, your utility company is better equipped to handle the problem than emergency responders. — Kelly O'sullivan, Woman's Day, "11 Phone Numbers Every Woman Should Have On Speed Dial," 15 Feb. 2017

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