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

That effort has included hacking the Trump campaign and attempting to leak the internal information, including lengthy dossiers on potential vice-presidential candidates, to various media outlets, U.S. intelligence officials have said in briefings and public disclosures. —Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024

Although Florida may have a GOP supermajority in the legislature, Democratic State Attorney Dave Aronberg, from Palm Beach County, told the outlet that open carry doesn’t have a lot of support in Florida. —Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Sep. 2024

The decision by right-wing media outlets to bury the report underscores the disconnect between public perception on the issue of crime and the reality of falling crime rates. —Jon Passantino, CNN, 24 Sep. 2024

Luxury brands are motivated by the rationale that unsold inventory is better destroyed than made to seem cheap by being massively marked down or sent to an outlet. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 23 Sep. 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