outlet

English

Etymology

From Middle English outlete, outeleate, ut-lete, derived from Middle English outleten (“to allow, let out, emit”), equivalent to out- +‎ let. Compare West Frisian útlit (“outlet”), Dutch uitlaat (“outlet”), German Auslass (“outlet”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈaʊtlɛt/, /ˈaʊtlɪt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

outlet (plural outlets)

1. A vent or similar passage to allow the escape of something.

   • Vent definition

     An opening through which gases, especially air, can pass. (1 of 10 vent definitions)

   • Passage definition

     A paragraph or section of text or music with particular meaning. (1 of 15 passage definitions)

   • Escape definition

     To get free; to free oneself. (1 of 6 escape definitions)
2. Something which allows for the release of one's desires.

   Jamie found doing martial arts was a great outlet for her stress.

   • Release definition

     The event of setting (someone or something) free (e.g. hostages, slaves, prisoners, caged animals, hooked or stuck mechanisms). (1 of 16 release definitions)

   • Desire definition

     To want; to wish for earnestly. (1 of 6 desire definitions)
3. A river that runs out of a lake.

   • River definition

     A large and often winding stream which drains a land mass, carrying water down from higher areas to a lower point, oftentimes ending in another body of water, such as an ocean or in an inland sea. (1 of 5 river definitions)

   • Lake definition

     A large, landlocked stretch of water or similar liquid. (1 of 4 lake definitions)
4. A shop that sells the products of a particular manufacturer or supplier.

   • Shop definition

     An establishment that sells goods or services to the public; originally only a physical location, but now a virtual establishment as well. (1 of 8 shop definitions)

   • Product definition

     Anything that is produced; a result. (1 of 11 product definitions)

   • Manufacturer definition

     A person or company that manufactures.

   • Supplier definition

     One who supplies; a provider. (1 of 2 supplier definitions)
5. A wall-mounted device such as a socket or receptacle connected to an electrical system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment or appliances.

   I had to move the cupboard to get to the power outlet.

   • Socket definition

     An opening into which a plug or other connecting part is designed to fit (e.g. a light bulb socket). (1 of 7 socket definitions)

   • Electrical definition

     Related to electricity (or electronics)

Derived terms

• media outlet
• thoracic outlet syndrome

Translations

Anagrams

• let out, let-out

Chinese

Etymology

From English outlet.

Pronunciation

Noun

outlet

1. (Taiwan, Hong Kong) outlet mall; a mall with outlet shops (especially in tourist areas)

   • Mall definition

     A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct. (1 of 7 mall definitions)

Polish

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English outlet.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈaw.tlɛt/
• Rhymes: -awtlɛt
• Syllabification: ou‧tlet

Noun

outlet m inan

1. outlet (shop)

Declension

Further reading

• outlet in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• outlet in Polish dictionaries at PWN

Portuguese

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English outlet.

Noun

outlet m (plural outlets)

1. outlet store

   • Store definition

     A place where items may be accumulated or routinely kept. (1 of 6 store definitions)

Spanish

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English outlet.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈautlet/ [ˈau̯.t̪let̪]
• Rhymes: -autlet

Noun

outlet m (plural outlets)

1. outlet store

Usage notes

According to Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) prescriptions, unadapted foreign words should be written in italics in a text printed in roman type, and vice versa, and in quotation marks in a manuscript text or when italics are not available. In practice, this RAE prescription is not always followed.