vent
1an opening, as in a wall, serving as an outlet for air, smoke, fumes, or the like.
an opening at the earth's surface from which volcanic material, as lava, steam, or gas, is emitted.
Zoology. the anal or excretory opening of animals, especially of those below mammals, as birds and reptiles.
the small opening at the breech of a gun by which fire is communicated to the charge.
a means of exit or escape; an outlet, as from confinement.
expression; utterance; release: to give vent to one's emotions.
Obsolete. the act or fact of venting; emission or discharge.
to give free play or expression to (an emotion, passion, etc.): to vent rage.
to give public utterance to: to vent one's opinions.
to relieve by giving expression to something: He vented his disappointment by criticizing his successor.
to release or discharge (liquid, smoke, etc.).
to furnish or provide with a vent or vents.
to be relieved of pressure or discharged by means of a vent.
(of an otter or other animal) to rise to the surface of the water to breathe.
Origin of vent
1Other words from vent
- ventless, adjective
- un·vent·ed, adjective
Other definitions for vent (2 of 2)
a slit in the back or side of a coat, jacket, or other garment, at the bottom part of a seam.
Origin of vent
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for vent (1 of 2)
/ (vɛnt) /
a small opening for the passage or escape of fumes, liquids, etc
the shaft of a volcano or an aperture in the earth's crust through which lava and gases erupt
the external opening of the urinary or genital systems of lower vertebrates
a small aperture at the breech of old guns through which the charge was ignited
an exit, escape, or passage
give vent to to release (an emotion, passion, idea, etc) in an utterance or outburst
to release or give expression or utterance to (an emotion, idea, etc): he vents his anger on his wife
to provide a vent for or make vents in
to let out (steam, liquid, etc) through a vent
Origin of vent
1Derived forms of vent
- venter, noun
- ventless, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for vent (2 of 2)
/ (vɛnt) /
a vertical slit at the back or both sides of a jacket
(tr) to make a vent or vents in (a jacket)
Origin of vent
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for vent
[ vĕnt ]
An opening, and the conduit leading to it, in the side or at the top of a volcano, permitting the escape of fumes, a liquid, a gas, or steam.
The excretory opening of the digestive tract in animals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Also called cloaca
: See cloaca.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with vent
In addition to the idiom beginning with vent
- vent one's spleen
also see:
- give vent to
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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