leak

verb

\ 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

Other Words from leak More Example Sentences Learn More about leak

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Other Words from leak

Verb

leaker \ ˈlē-kər

\ noun

Noun

leakproof \ ˈlēk-ˌprüf

\ adjective

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

The truth is that every leaked photo or anecdote is pulled out of context. — WSJ, "Dissecting the College Scandal," 12 Feb. 2019 Whether that means going through oils that are leaking in the kitchen, toys that are broken in the playroom, puzzles with missing pieces, etc., these are the items that are easy to get rid of right off the bat. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "The Home Edit Founders Share Their Top Organizing Tips for 2019," 29 Jan. 2019 For the times when stains leak through your sheets, there are a few options for cleanup. — Gigi Engle, SELF, "7 Tips for Cleaning Up After Sex Gets Messy," 12 Dec. 2018 And in February, on the heals of a number of spending scandals within the Trump administration, word leaked that HUD spent $31,561 redecorating Carson’s office. — Jeff Andrews, Curbed, "HUD won one court battle, lost another under Ben Carson in 2018," 26 Dec. 2018 To create the tool, Deng and his team used machine learning to identify genetic characteristics that could help them distinguish Salmonella that leaks out of different animal sources. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "Machine learning could help figure out what pooped on your produce," 12 Dec. 2018 The light that leaks out is sent back into the bowtie cavity in the opposite direction and with the opposite rotational sense. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Making light twist into a bowtie may reveal dark matter," 12 Nov. 2018 There is no indication the Saudi monarch is prepared to push his son aside, in defiance of a Turkish pressure campaign that has leaked evidence to maximize damage on the kingdom’s standing. — Margherita Stancati, WSJ, "Saudi Crown Prince Pledges Justice for Journalist’s Death," 24 Oct. 2018 There’s still billions of dollars that leaks into the secondary market. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Former Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard explains why live venues are leaving money on the table," 11 Oct. 2018

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.