leak
intransitive verb
- to let a fluid substance out or in accidentally: the boats leaks
- to enter, or escape accidentally from, an object or container: often with in or out
- to become known little by little, by accident, carelessness, or treachery: the truth leaked out
transitive verb
- to permit (water, air, light, radiation, etc.) to pass accidentally in or out; allow to leak
- to allow (secret or confidential information) to become known
noun
- an accidental hole or crack that lets something out or in
- any means of escape for something that ought not to be let out, lost, etc.
- the fact of leaking; leakage
- a disclosure of secret or confidential information; specif., an ostensibly accidental disclosure by a government official to the news media, actually intended to produce an effect
- a loss of electrical current through faulty insulation
- the point or path where this occurs
- Slang the act of urinating: usually in the phrase
See leak in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(lēk)
verb leaked,
leak·ing,
leaks verb, intransitive- To permit the escape, entry, or passage of something through a breach or flaw: rusted pipes that were beginning to leak; a boat leaking at the seams.
- To escape or pass through a breach or flaw: helium leaking slowly from the balloon.
- Informal To become publicly known through a breach of secrecy: The news has leaked.
verb, transitive- To permit (a substance) to escape or pass through a breach or flaw: a damaged reactor leaking radioactivity into the atmosphere.
- Informal To disclose without authorization or official sanction: leaked classified information to a reporter.
noun- A crack or flaw that permits something to escape from or enter a container or conduit: fixed the leak in the roof.
a. The act or instance of leaking.
b. An amount leaked: equipment used in cleaning up oil leaks.
- Informal An unauthorized or a deliberate disclosure of confidential information: “Sometimes we can't respond to stories based on leaks” (Ronald Reagan).
a. Loss of electric current as a result of faulty insulation.
b. The path or place at which this loss takes place.
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