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exhaust definition

ex·haust (eg zôst′, ig-)

transitive verb

  1. to draw off or let out completely (air, gas, etc.), as from a container
  2. to use up; expend completely to exhaust one's resources
    1. to empty completely; draw off the contents of; drain to exhaust a well
    2. to create a vacuum in
  4. to drain of power, resources, etc. war exhausted the nation
  5. to tire out; make very weary; weaken
  6. to deal with, study, or develop completely and thoroughly to exhaust a subject

Etymology: < L exhaustus, pp. of exhaurire, to draw out, exhaust < ex-, out + haurire, to draw, drain < IE base *aus- > ON ausa

intransitive verb

to be discharged or let out, as gas or steam from an engine

noun

    1. the withdrawing of air, gas, etc. from a container or enclosure, as by means of a fan or pump
    2. an apparatus for doing this, as in getting rid of fumes, dust, stale air, etc.
    1. the discharge or release of used steam, gas, etc. from a steam or gas turbine or from the cylinders of an engine at the end of every working stroke of the pistons
    2. the system of pipes, including mufflers, catalytic converters, etc. through which such steam, gas, etc. is released
  3. something given off or let out, as fumes from a gasoline engine

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

exhaust Synonyms

exhaust

v.

  1. To consume strength

    debilitate, fatigue, wear out, wear down; see tire 2, weaken 2, weary 1.

  2. To use entirely

    use up, take the last of, deplete, drain; see consume 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

exhaust Usage Examples

Object

  • avenue: We must be prepared to exhaust all avenues to achieve that.

Adjective modifier

  • diesel: Even diesel exhaust smells better than a dirty human.

Modifies a noun

  • fume: Ben uses the dirt from exhaust fumes to produce stunning wildlife pictures.

Noun used with modifier

  • underseat: Pin sharp through the corners it bursts out the other side with a snarl from the underseat exhaust.
exhaust usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"exhaust." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/exhaust>

APA Style

exhaust. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/exhaust

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