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vent

verb \ ˈvent \

Definition of vent

transitive verb
1 :to provide with a vent
2 a :to serve as a vent for
  • chimneys vent smoke
b :discharge, expel
c :to give often vigorous or emotional expression to
  • vented her frustration on her coworkers
3 :to relieve by means of a vent
  • vented himself in a fiery letter to the editor
intransitive verb
:to relieve oneself by venting something (such as anger)
  • comes home from work and vents to the kids

See vent defined for English-language learners

See vent defined for kids

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Examples of vent in a Sentence

  1. Windows should be opened to vent the fumes.

  2. She vented her frustrations by kicking the car.

  3. Don't vent your anger on me.

  4. I screamed because I needed to vent.

Origin and Etymology of vent

Middle English venten "to provide with an air hole," in part verbal derivative of vent "anus, outlet, 2vent," in part short for aventen "to cool (oneself, as by removing a helmet), release, let air out of," borrowed from Anglo-French aventer "to allow to escape, release, fan," probably altered by vowel reduction from Old French esventer "to fan, cool by stirring the air," going back to Vulgar Latin *exventāre, from Latin ex- 1ex- + -ventāre, verbal derivative of ventus "wind" — more at 1wind

vent Synonyms

Synonyms
loose, release, unleash, take out
Antonyms
bottle (up), repress, suppress
Related Words
act out; air, express, state, ventilate, voice
Near Antonyms
control, govern, handle, manage; bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, hold back, pull in, quell, rein (in), restrain, smother, tame; allay, lull, quiet, soothe, still; choke, inhibit, muffle, pocket, repress, stifle, strangle, swallow

Synonym Discussion of vent

express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels. express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.
    • expressed her feelings in music
vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.
    • a tirade venting his frustration
utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.
    • utter a groan
voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.
    • an editorial voicing their concerns
broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.
    • broached the subject of a divorce
air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.
    • publicly airing their differences
2

vent

noun

Definition of vent

1 :an opening for the escape of a gas or liquid or for the relief of pressure: such as
a :the external opening of the rectum or cloaca :anus
b (1) :pipe 3c, fumarole
(2) :hydrothermal vent
c :an opening at the breech of a muzzle-loading gun through which fire is touched to the powder
d chiefly Scotland :chimney, flue
2 :an opportunity or means of escape, passage, or release :outlet
  • finally gave vent to his pent-up hostility
—

ventless

play \ˈvent-ləs\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of vent

Middle English, "anus, outlet," probably borrowed from Anglo-French, "wind, cold air, draft, outlet" (continental Old French, "wind"), going back to Latin ventus "wind" — more at 1wind

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

3

vent

noun

Definition of vent

:a slit in a garment; specifically :an opening in the lower part of a seam (as of a jacket or skirt)
—

ventless

adjective

Origin and Etymology of vent

Middle English vent, fente, borrowed from Anglo-French fente "split, crack, opening," derivative of fendre "to split" (going back to Latin findere), probaby by analogy with pairs such as rendre "to yield," rente "income" — more at 1bite, 1render, 1rent

Phrases Related to VENT

Related Phrases

VENT Defined for English Language Learners

vent

verb

Definition of vent for English Language Learners

  • : to allow (something, such as smoke or gas) to go out through an opening

  • : to express (an emotion) usually in a loud or angry manner

VENT Defined for Kids

1

vent

verb \ ˈvent \

Definition of vent for Students

vented; venting
1 :to provide with an outlet
  • Dangerous gases were vented to the outside.
2 :to serve as an outlet for
  • Chimneys vent smoke.
3 :1express 1
  • He needs to vent his anger.
2

vent

noun

Definition of vent for Students

1 :an opening for the escape of a gas or liquid or for the relief of pressure
2 :an opportunity or means of release
  • His writing gives vent to his anger.

Medical Dictionary

vent

noun \ ˈvent \

medical Definition of vent

:an opening for the escape of a gas or liquid or for the relief of pressure; especially :the external opening of the rectum or cloaca :anus

Learn More about vent

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

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play

to suppress quietly or indirectly

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Tip: Synonym Guide
Examples: vent in a Sentence