26984 words

leak

11 definitions • 19 examples
1
(of a liquid or gas) to escape from a hole or crack in a pipe or container; (of a container) to allow liquid or gas to escape:

Examples:

Water was leaking from the pipe.
Oil leaked out of the car.
The car leaked oil all over the drive.
The tin was leaking.
2

Examples:

He leaked the names to the press.
News of the pay cuts had somehow leaked out.
3
a hole or crack through which a liquid or gas can flow out of a container, or the liquid or gas that comes out:

Examples:

There's water on the floor - we must have a leak.
If you suspect a gas leak, phone the emergency number.
4
the origin of secret information that becomes known, or the act of making it known:

Examples:

There have been several security leaks recently.
They traced the leak to a secretary in the finance department.
5
(of a liquid or gas) to escape from a hole or crack in a pipe or container, or (of a container) to allow liquid or gas to escape:

Examples:

[ I ] He heard the sound of dripping and saw water leaking from a pipe overhead.
[ T ] The ship ran aground off the coast and began to leak oil.
6
To leak is also to give out information privately, esp. when people in authority do not want it to be known:

Examples:

[ T ] Someone had leaked the news of the ambassador’s resignation to the press.
7
A leak is also the act of giving out information privately, esp. when people in authority do not want it to be known:
8
if a liquid or gas leaks, or is allowed to leak, from a pipe or container, it escapes through an opening:

Examples:

9

Examples:

Staff members were accused of leaking information about the deal to the newspapers.
10
an opening through which liquid or gas can escape from a pipe or container, or the liquid or gas that escapes:

Examples:

11
the act of allowing secret information to become publicly known:

Examples:

The leak of the top-secret discussions will be a huge embarrassment to the company.

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