vent

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. an occasion where you talk a lot to express your anger or frustration.

n. the act of expressing strong, often pent-up emotions or grievances.

“I just needed a quick vent about my difficult day at the office.”

“The meeting served as a necessary vent for the staff's frustrations regarding the recent budget cuts.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical

n. a small cut or opening in the bottom of a jacket or skirt to help you move easily.

n. a vertical slit in the seam of a garment, typically at the back of a jacket or the side of a skirt.

“The tailor suggested adding a double vent to the back of the suit jacket.”

“A single central vent provides enough flexibility for movement while maintaining the slim silhouette of the blazer.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to talk about your strong feelings, like anger or sadness, to feel better.

v. to give forceful expression to a strong emotion or grievance. Often used intransitively when speaking to a sympathetic listener.

“Thank you for listening; I really needed to vent about my boss.”

“He spent the entire evening venting his frustrations about the project's failure to anyone who would listen.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to let gas or steam escape from a container.

v. to allow the escape of a gas or liquid through an aperture, often to relieve pressure.

“The pressure cooker will vent steam once the water starts to boil.”

“The safety valve is designed to vent excess pressure automatically if the internal temperature exceeds the safety threshold.”

C2 · Proficiency Medicine Technical · Informal

v. to use a machine to help a patient breathe.

v. to provide artificial respiration for a patient using a mechanical ventilator.

“The doctors decided to vent the patient because his oxygen levels were too low.”

“The clinical team had to vent the trauma victim immediately upon arrival to stabilize his respiratory function.”