# leakage

/ˈɫikədʒ/ (US) · /lˈiːkɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/leakage
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. escape of liquid or gas

noun · CEFR B2

the act of a liquid or gas escaping through a hole or crack.

For teachers: the physical escape of a fluid or gas from a container or conduit due to a structural failure.

- The plumber checked the pipes to find the source of the water leakage.
- Engineers monitored the pressure gauges closely, fearing that any further gas leakage could lead to a significant environmental hazard.

### 2. loss of information

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the accidental sharing of secret or private information.

For teachers: the unauthorised or accidental disclosure of confidential data or sensitive information.

- The company investigated the leakage of private customer data to the press.
- The government launched an internal inquiry to determine how the leakage of classified documents had occurred despite strict digital protocols.

### 3. economic loss

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

the loss of money from an economy, often because it is spent in other countries.

For teachers: the diversion of income from a circular flow, such as when tourism revenue is spent on imported goods rather than local services.

- The island's economy suffered from leakage because most hotels were owned by foreign companies.
- Economists argue that reducing leakage is essential for developing nations to ensure that tourism profits actually benefit the local population.

### 4. electricity

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the flow of electricity where it is not supposed to go.

For teachers: the gradual loss of electrical energy through insulation or across a dielectric.

- The old battery failed because of internal electrical leakage over time.
- The technician used a multimeter to detect any current leakage that might be compromising the safety of the high-voltage circuit.

## Examples

- High taxes can lead to capital leakage from the local economy.
- Economists are concerned that the increase in imports is causing significant leakage, preventing the stimulus package from boosting domestic growth.
- In a closed economy, the circular flow remains internal, but global trade introduces leakage through imports and capital outflows that must be balanced by injections like exports or government spending.

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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.