leaky

play

adjective \ ˈlē-kē \

Definition of leaky

leakier; leakiest

:permitting fluid to leak in or out

—

leakily

play \ˈlē-kə-lē\ adverb

—

leakiness

play \ˈlē-kē-nəs\ noun

See leaky defined for English-language learners

See leaky defined for kids

Recent Examples of leaky from the Web

Highlands, which had a notoriously leaky defense last season, limited Cooper to 17 passing yards and picked off five passes in their first game, led by Joe Steiden who made a school record four picks.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "What to watch: Northern Kentucky high school football week 1," 24 Aug. 2017
Even wearing the airbag jacket, my hands sweat like leaky faucets when my riding partners enter the on-ramp and immediately start splitting lanes.

— david curcurito, Popular Mechanics, "The Inflatable Man," 16 Aug. 2017
According to surveys by the National Association for Continence, one in four women over age 18 struggle with a leaky bladder.

— evin billington, Health.com, "Thinx's ‘Pee-Proof’ Underwear Is Designed for Bladder Leaks," 25 July 2017
The law’s problems are real, but fixable—more like a leaky roof and botched plumbing than a fire.

— The Economist, "Revive, don’t repealThree steps to fix Obamacare," 20 July 2017
The city agreed to forgive back rent and ease its rent burden by basing the amount owed on team revenue, while the team took responsibility for fixing the leaky roof over the stadium's offices and concession areas.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "BayBears to Huntsville? There may be a pitch, but there are a few innings left to play," 19 July 2017
Rank-and-file members of the CIA and the NSA morphed in the popular imagination from metadata-snarfing desk jockeys to brave sleeper agents of the Deep State, bent on sinking the president’s leaky ship.

— simon van zuylen-wood, Daily Intelligencer, "The Man Who Made Liberals Newly Enamored of the Deep State," 11 July 2017
A Sears spokesman confirmed to Business Insider that some stores had sustained leaky ceilings but denied accounts of a rat infestation.

— alana abramson, Fortune, "Some Sears and Kmart Stores Are Reportedly Falling Apart," 2 July 2017
The savings could be used as part of a $177 million update of the city's aging and deteriorating distribution system, including fixing leaky water mains and replacing lead service lines.

— CBS News, "Michigan sues Flint after city council doesn't approve water deal," 28 June 2017

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

First Known Use of leaky

15th century

LEAKY Defined for English Language Learners

leaky

play

adjective

Definition of leaky for English Language Learners

: having a hole that allows something (such as a liquid or gas) to pass in or out : having a leak

LEAKY Defined for Kids

leaky

play

adjective \ ˈlē-kē \

Definition of leaky for Students

leakier; leakiest

:letting fluid in or out through a crack or hole

a leaky roof

Medical Dictionary

leaky

play

adjective \ ˈlē-kē \

medical Definition of leaky

:relating to or being a mutant gene that changes the structure of the protein and especially an enzyme that it determines so that some but not all of its biological activity is lost; also :being such a protein with subnormal activity