What does "outlet" mean?

1. (a shop) a shop that sells goods from a specific brand or company, often for a lower price. 2. (electrical socket) the place in a wall where you plug in machines to get electricity. 3. (emotional release) a way to express strong feelings or energy, like a hobby or sport. 4. (physical exit) an opening or pipe that allows air, water, or steam to escape.

How do you use "outlet"?

Commonly called a 'socket' or 'plug' in British English.

outlet

US //ˈaʊtˌɫɛt// UK //ˈaʊtlɛt// out·let

1 a shop (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a shop that sells goods from a specific brand or company, often for a lower price.

a commercial establishment that sells the products of a specific manufacturer or supplier, frequently at a discount.

Example

We went to the designer outlet to find some cheaper running shoes.

Example

The manufacturer opened a factory outlet on the outskirts of the city to clear out surplus inventory from the previous season.
2 electrical socket (n.)
B1 Intermediate American English

the place in a wall where you plug in machines to get electricity.

a point in an electrical circuit where a plug can be inserted to connect an appliance to the power supply.

Example

I need to find an outlet to charge my phone before it dies.

Example

The technician installed several additional outlets in the home office to accommodate the new server and dual-monitor setup.

Usage

Commonly called a 'socket' or 'plug' in British English.
- socket
- power point

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 emotional release (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a way to express strong feelings or energy, like a hobby or sport.

a means of expressing or releasing pent-up emotions, creative energy, or impulses.

Example

Painting provides a great creative outlet for her after a stressful day at work.

Example

For many teenagers, competitive sports serve as a vital physical outlet for the frustrations of academic life.
4 physical exit (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical

an opening or pipe that allows air, water, or steam to escape.

an opening or passage through which a liquid or gas can exit a confined space.

Example

The water flows out of the lake through a small outlet at the southern end.

Example

Engineers inspected the main outlet of the dam to ensure that the overflow system could handle the seasonal rains.
- inlet
- entrance

Origin

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”).