outlet

noun

out·​let ˈau̇t-ˌlet 

-lət

1

a

: a place or opening through which something is let out : exit, vent

b

: a means of release or satisfaction for an emotion or impulse

sexual outlets

c

: a medium of expression or publication

d

: a publication or broadcast organization

media outlets

2

: a stream flowing out of a lake or pond

3

a

: a market for a commodity

b

: an agency (such as a store) through which a product is marketed

retail outlets

4

: a receptacle for the plug of an electrical device

Synonyms

• egress
• exit
• issue

Examples of outlet in a Sentence

this road is the only outlet for traffic coming from the racetrack

technology has provided many new outlets for amateur writers and artists to share their work with a global audience

Recent Examples on the Web

After Russia seized it following the 2014 takeover of Crimea, the facility was handed over to its Aerospace Forces, which then began modernizing it, as reported by the Ukrainian Defense Express (UDE) news outlet. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2024

The picks are in for XXL’s 2024 Freshman Class and the outlet included a bevy of internet sensations from ScarLip to Cash Cobain. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 24 June 2024

The series from Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios earned a straight-to-series order at Showtime in February 2023, before the premium cable outlet was effectively folded into Paramount+. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2024

All three major cable news outlets — MSNBC, Fox News and CNN — are expected to shed subscribers and affiliate revenue in 2024, according to projections from Kagan, a market-research firm that is part of S&P Global Intelligence. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ut-lete, from ut out + -lete watercourse, from Old English gelǣt, from lǣtan to let

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing outlet

• outlet pass
• thoracic outlet syndrome

Kids Definition

outlet

noun

out·​let ˈau̇t-ˌlet 

-lət

1

: a place or opening through which something is let out : exit, vent

2

: a means of release or satisfaction

an outlet for her grief

3

a

: a market for a product

b

: an agency (as a store or dealer) through which a product is marketed

4

: an electrical device (as in a wall) into which an appliance may be plugged

Medical Definition

outlet

noun

out·​let ˈau̇t-ˌlet, -lət 

1

: an opening or a place through which something is let out

the pelvic outlet

2

: a means of release or satisfaction for an emotion or impulse

counseling provides an outlet for expressing and evaluating their feelings

—Vicki Glaser