leaked; leaking; leaks
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
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
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
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
Nik Popli, Time, 26 June 2025
While a Defense Intelligence Agency initial assessment leaked Tuesday found it may have only been set back several months, less than claimed by Trump.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 26 June 2025
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Rancho Bernardo, 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, 30 June 2017
See All Example Sentences for leak
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
However, a preliminary intelligence assessment leaked to CNN and The New York Times earlier this week undercut that narrative.
—Nik Popli, Time, 26 June 2025
While a Defense Intelligence Agency initial assessment leaked Tuesday found it may have only been set back several months, less than claimed by Trump.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 26 June 2025
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, 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, 30 June 2017
See All Example Sentences for leak
Cite this Entry
“Leak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leak. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leak
1 of 2 verb1
: to enter or escape or permit to enter or escape accidentally or by mistake
fumes leaked in
the secret leaked out
2
: to give out information secretly
leaked the story to the press
leak
2 of 2 noun1
: something and especially a crack or hole that lets something in or out usually accidentally
2
: leakage
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