Definition of leak
intransitive verb
1a : to enter or escape through an opening usually by a fault or mistake fumes leak inb : 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 outb : 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
From the M-W Editors
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
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News leaked last week of Rondo’s agreement with the Pelicans.
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Historically, wood was cooked with these chemicals then laid outside, where chemicals escaped into the air and leaked into the soil and groundwater, often flowing from these facilities in open ditches.
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They were deterred from going higher by the frigid air that leaked into the cabin.
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Back in April, Instagram account The Junk Food Aisle leaked a mock-up of the potential new flavor that caused panic on the internet.
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Recordings were leaked on the internet of alleged conversations that suggested he was engaged in at least one extramarital affair, with the woman in question denying, and then asserting, that the allegation was true.
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In the 65th minute, Rennella passed to Pinho, who leaked through the defense.
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At the agency's most recent launch in April, its balloon began to leak and lose altitude just 3 days into its mission.
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Doesn't one of them have the guts to leak the secret plan to fight good health?
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
Definition of leak
1a : a crack or hole that usually by mistake admits or lets escapeb : 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
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
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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.
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After checking ducts, evaluate all the windows and doors for leaks and cracks, and add new weather stripping if necessary.
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If the container uses ice packs, it must be sealed and in a leak-proof container with the contents clearly marked.
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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.
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Truth is being mean leaves more leaks in your camp than the titanic and I ..
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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.
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For their part, Trump's aides look on many of those holdovers from the last administration with suspicion, blaming them for leaks.
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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.
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
see 1leak
LEAK Defined for English Language Learners
leak
playDefinition of leak for English Language Learners
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: to let something (such as a liquid or gas) in or out through a hole in a surface
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of a liquid, gas, etc. : to come in or go out through a hole in a surface
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: to give (secret information) to someone so that it becomes known to the public
leak
Definition of leak for English Language Learners
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: a hole in a surface that lets something (such as a liquid or gas) pass in or out
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: an occurrence in which something (such as a liquid or gas) passes through a hole in a surface
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: a situation in which people learn about information that is supposed to be secret
LEAK Defined for Kids
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.
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
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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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