# exhaust

/ɪɡˈzɔst/ (US) · /ɛɡzˈɔːst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exhaust
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to tire out

verb · CEFR B1

to make someone feel extremely tired or without any energy.

For teachers: to fatigue or wear out a person completely. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The long climb up the mountain will exhaust even the fittest hikers.
- The relentless pace of the project threatened to exhaust the entire design team before the final deadline was even in sight.

### 2. to use up

verb · CEFR B2

to use all of something so that nothing is left.

For teachers: to deplete a supply or resource entirely; to expend wholly.

- We have exhausted our food supplies and need to find a shop.
- By the third month of the drought, the village had exhausted its water reserves and was forced to rely on emergency shipments.

### 3. to discuss fully

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to talk about a subject so thoroughly that there is nothing left to say.

For teachers: to treat or study a subject matter so comprehensively that no further discussion is possible.

- I think we have exhausted this topic, so let's move to the next item.
- The committee felt they had exhausted every possible legal avenue before finally deciding to drop the lawsuit.

### 4. waste gas

noun · CEFR B1

the waste gas that comes out of a car or engine while it is working.

For teachers: the waste gases or steam expelled from an engine as a byproduct of combustion.

- The old bus produced a cloud of black exhaust as it pulled away.
- Environmental regulations have become increasingly strict regarding the levels of toxic chemicals permitted in vehicle exhaust.

### 5. engine pipe

noun · CEFR B2

the pipe or system that carries waste gas away from an engine.

For teachers: the mechanical system, including the manifold and tailpipe, through which spent fuel is discharged.

- He noticed a loud rattling noise coming from the car's exhaust.
- The mechanic suggested replacing the entire exhaust after discovering significant corrosion near the muffler.

## Examples

- Black smoke came out of the car's exhaust.
- The mechanic needs to replace the rusted exhaust pipe before the car can pass its safety inspection.
- Environmental regulations have forced manufacturers to develop sophisticated filtration systems to reduce the volume of toxic particulates found in diesel exhaust.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.