outlet

outlet — noun

1. an opening or pipe that lets water, air, or another substance pass out from some

1.nounC1
Definition

an opening or pipe that lets water, air, or another substance pass out from something

Example

Water poured from the outlet at the bottom of the tank.

outlet at the bottom of a container

The mechanic cleared the air outlet so the dryer could cool.

collocation: air outlet

Common collocations
  • water outlet
  • air outlet
  • drain outlet
  • exhaust outlet
Synonyms
  • opening

    a broad everyday word; outlet often suggests a designed place for something to come out

  • vent

    usually refers to air, gas, or heat rather than any substance

  • drain

    often refers specifically to water flowing away

Antonyms
  • inlet

    a point where liquid, gas, or air goes in rather than out

Grammar Patterns

water outlet

air outlet

outlet at the bottom of + noun

Usage Note

Usually refers to an opening in equipment, pipes, tanks, or walls, not a door for people. Common modifiers include air, water, drain, and exhaust.

Common Mistakes

Use the fire outlet on the left side of the hall.
Use the fire exit on the left side of the hall.
For people leaving a building, English normally uses 'exit', not this noun.

2. a store, often linked to a brand, that sells its goods directly to customers, so

2.nounC2
Definition

a store, often linked to a brand, that sells its goods directly to customers, sometimes more cheaply than regular stores

Example

We found cheaper coats at the outlet near the highway.

The brand opened a new outlet beside the train station.

open a new outlet

Common collocations
  • factory outlet
  • outlet mall
  • brand outlet
  • outlet store
Synonyms
  • store

    the broad everyday word; outlet often suggests a brand-linked shop

  • shop

    common in British English for a retail business of any kind

  • branch

    stresses one location in a larger business network

Grammar Patterns

factory outlet

outlet mall

open a new outlet

Usage Note

Often appears in phrases such as factory outlet and outlet mall, especially for stores selling older stock at lower prices. Distinguish from sense 4, where an outlet is a media company rather than a place to shop.

Common Mistakes

We bought the shoes at the outlet shop of Nike.
We bought the shoes at the Nike outlet.
English usually puts the brand name before 'outlet' without 'shop of'.

3. a company or website that gives news to the public through print, broadcast, or

3.nounC1
Definition

a company or website that gives news to the public through print, broadcast, or online reports

Example

The local news outlet posted the election results before midnight.

collocation: news outlet

A sports outlet interviewed the captain after the final.

Common collocations
  • news outlet
  • media outlet
  • local outlet
  • online outlet
Synonyms
  • publication

    works especially for newspapers, magazines, and websites with written content

  • broadcaster

    focuses on television or radio rather than media in general

  • channel

    often used for television or online content streams

Grammar Patterns

news outlet

local outlet

online outlet

Usage Note

Often appears with modifiers such as news, local, digital, or conservative. Distinguish from sense 2, where an outlet is a way to express feelings or energy, not a media body.

Common Mistakes

I read it in a news output.
I read it in a news outlet.
For a media company or publication, the usual word is 'outlet', not 'output'.

4. a wall fitting for plugging in a device so it can receive electricity

4.nounC1
Definition

a wall fitting for plugging in a device so it can receive electricity

Example

Nina plugged the fan into the outlet by the sofa.

plug into an outlet

The hotel room had only one outlet near the desk.

Common collocations
  • wall outlet
  • electrical outlet
  • double outlet
  • outlet cover
Synonyms
  • socket

    the closest general word, especially common in British English

  • wall socket

    makes the wall location explicit

  • receptacle

    a technical term used by electricians and in manuals

Grammar Patterns

plug into an outlet

wall outlet

electrical outlet

Usage Note

Usually American in this meaning. In British English, people more often say socket or power point.

Common Mistakes

I plugged the charger into the plug.
I plugged the charger into the outlet.
The plug is on the cord; the outlet is the place in the wall.

5. an activity or interest that helps you express deep emotions or put extra energy

5.nounC2
Definition

an activity or interest that helps you express deep emotions or put extra energy to good use

Example

Basketball gave Leo an outlet for his anger after school.

outlet for + feeling

Painting became Marta's outlet when she felt lonely at home.

Common collocations
  • creative outlet
  • healthy outlet
  • outlet for anger
  • outlet for stress
Synonyms
  • release

    focuses on letting emotion out, but does not always suggest an activity

  • channel

    often stresses directing energy or feeling in a useful direction

  • escape

    can suggest relief from pressure, sometimes by avoiding problems

Grammar Patterns

an outlet for anger

an outlet for stress

find an outlet in + activity

Usage Note

Often follows have, need, give, or find, and the outlet is usually an activity such as sport, music, art, or writing. Distinguish from sense 4, where an outlet is a news organization, not a personal channel for feelings.

Common Mistakes

Running is a good outlet of my stress.
Running is a good outlet for my stress.
This sense usually takes 'for' before the feeling being released.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/5

For this sense, 'outlet' is the everyday American word for the place in a wall where electricity comes from. 'Socket' is the closest general word and is more common in British English, especially when people speak casually. 'Wall socket' makes the location clearer, but the meaning stays the same. 'Power point' is common in British and Australian English, but it sounds unusual in American English. 'Receptacle' is a technical word used by electricians, manuals, or safety rules rather than in daily speech. In ordinary American use, say Plug the lamp into the outlet. In a wiring guide, you might read Replace the damaged receptacle in the kitchen wall.

outlet ↗socket ↗wall socketpower pointreceptacle

Etymology

English

Outlet was formed in English from out and let, linked to the older idea of letting something out. It first referred to a physical opening where water, air, or something else could leave, and later spread to figurative uses such as a way to release feelings, a store that sends goods out to buyers, and a media organization that sends news out to the public.