Leak /(lēk)/

Leak

n.
  1. A crack, crevice, fissure, or hole which admits water or other fluid, or lets it escape; as, a leak in a roof; a leak in a boat; a leak in a gas pipe.
  2. The entrance or escape of a fluid through a crack, fissure, or other aperture; as, the leak gained on the ship's pumps.
  3. A loss of electricity through imperfect insulation; also, the point at which such loss occurs. (Elec.)
  4. an act of urinating; -- used mostly in the phrase take a leak, i. e. to urinate. [vulgar]
  5. The disclosure of information that is expected to be kept confidential; as, leaks by the White House staff infuriated Nixon; leaks by the Special Prosecutor were criticized as illegal.

Phrases & Compounds

To spring a leak
to open or crack so as to let in water; to begin to let in water; as, the ship sprung a leak.

Leak

a.
  1. Leaky. [Obs.]

Leak

v. i.

imp. & p. p. Leaked; p. pr. & vb. n. Leaking

  1. To let water or other fluid in or out through a hole, crevice, etc.; as, the cask leaks; the roof leaks; the boat leaks.
  2. To enter or escape, as a fluid, through a hole, crevice, etc.; to pass gradually into, or out of, something; -- usually with in or out.

Phrases & Compounds

To leak out
to be divulged gradually or clandestinely; to become public; as, the facts leaked out.