leak

play

verb \ ˈlēk \

Definition of leak

intransitive verb

1 a :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.

2 a :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

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leaker

play \ˈlē-kər\ noun

See leak defined for English-language learners

See leak defined for kids

Examples of leak in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of leak from the Web

Silver Cross discovered in June that some patient information may have leaked onto the internet after a vendor that manages parts of its website upgraded its software, according to a letter sent earlier this month to those potentially affected.

— lisa schencker, chicagotribune.com, "Silver Cross Hospital breach may have exposed personal data of nearly 9,000 patients," 29 Aug. 2017
Step 12: Rejoice in the baggage claim when your luggage is not leaking and your wine, and wardrobe, have survived unscathed.

— marissa a. ross, Bon Appetit, "How to Successfully Pack Wine in Your Suitcase," 29 Aug. 2017
Light pollution is one of the most pervasive forms of environmental degradations, leaking for miles from urban centers.

— lynda v. mapes, The Seattle Times, "Nature’s gift to Washingtonians: some of the last, best stargazing in the world," 28 Aug. 2017
Conservatism has been leaking its ideological contents for a long time now, and the Trump experience has ejected whatever little remained.

— david frum, The Atlantic, "Trump Won't Back Down," 26 Aug. 2017
Injury and death rates can be high and toxins sometimes leak into the sea, the group says.

— r.t. watson, Bloomberg.com, "Brazil to Crack Down on Ships Sold Into `Toxic' Scrap Trade," 24 Aug. 2017
White House proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency would eliminate programs that helped address pollution leaking from FPL’s Turkey Point cooling canals.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Under Trump budget, Florida water could get a lot dirtier," 22 Aug. 2017
The series also helped inspire a national effort to eliminate lead service lines that can leak the poison into drinking water.

— beth warren, The Courier-Journal, "Contaminated water series honored: Courier-Journal reporter Laura Ungar among honorees," 17 Aug. 2017
The premium cabler is dealing not only with a massive hack, but also with another episode of Game of Thrones Season 7 that’s leaked early.

— rebecca keegan, vanityfair.com, "Daniel Craig Is Back in Black," 16 Aug. 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.

Origin and Etymology of leak

Middle English leken, liken, from or akin to Middle Dutch leken; akin to Old English hlec leaky, Old High German zelehhan, Old Norse leka to leak and probably to Old English leccan to moisten, Middle Irish legaid it melts

leak

noun

Definition of leak

1 a :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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leakproof

play \ˈlēk-ˌprüf\ adjective

See leak defined for English-language learners

Examples of leak in a Sentence

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 of leak from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of leak

see ¹leak

LEAK Defined for English Language Learners

leak

play

verb

Definition of leak for English Language Learners

: to let something (such as a liquid or gas) in or out through a hole in a surface
of a liquid, gas, etc. : to come in or go out through a hole in a surface
: to give (secret information) to someone so that it becomes known to the public

leak

noun

Definition of leak for English Language Learners

: a hole in a surface that lets something (such as a liquid or gas) pass in or out
: an occurrence in which something (such as a liquid or gas) passes through a hole in a surface
: a situation in which people learn about information that is supposed to be secret

LEAK Defined for Kids

leak

play

verb \ ˈlēk \

Definition of leak for Students

leaked; leaking

1 :to enter or escape or let enter or escape through an opening usually by accident

Fumes were leaking in.

2 :to let a substance or light in or out through an opening

The roof was leaking.

3 :to make or become known

Don't leak this secret.

leak

noun

Definition of leak for Students

1 :a crack or hole that accidentally lets something pass in or out

I fixed the boat's leak.

2 :the accidental or secret passing of information

a security leak

3 :an act or instance of leaking

a slow leak

Learn More about leak

See words that rhyme with leak Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for leak Spanish Central: Translation of leak Nglish: Translation of leak for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of leak for Arabic speakers

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leak

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leaker

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Origin and Etymology of leak

leak

Definition of leak

leakproof

Examples of leak in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of leak

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Definition of leak for English Language Learners

leak

Definition of leak for English Language Learners

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