Home / Dictionary / Vent

Vent Very Common

Vent has 15 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

a hole for the escape of gas or air

"The engineer installed a small vent at the top of the chimney to allow smoke and hot air to escape safely."

2

external opening of urinary or genital system of a lower vertebrate

"The biologist examined the cloacal vent to study the reproductive anatomy of the frog."

3

a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt

"The scientists rushed to evacuate before the volcanic vent erupted, spewing molten lava into the night sky."

4

a slit in a garment (as in the back seam of a jacket)

"The tailor cut a vent into the back of the suit jacket to allow it to drape properly when walking."

5

activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion

"she had no other outlet for her feelings"

"he gave vent to his anger"

6

An opening through which gases, especially air, can pass.

"The doctor ordered a vent to help the patient breathe while they recovered from surgery."

7

Ventriloquism.

8

Sale; opportunity to sell; market.

9

A baiting place; an inn.

10

Clipping of ventilation or ventilator.

In plain English: A vent is an opening that lets air, smoke, or water escape from somewhere so it doesn't build up inside.

"The storm drain acted as an effective vent for the rising groundwater in the basement."

Usage: Use the noun form "vent" to refer specifically to an opening for airflow or smoke, such as in a chimney or car exhaust system. Do not confuse this with the verb meaning to express emotions freely unless you are using it metaphorically alongside words like "outlet."

Verb
1

give expression or utterance to

"She vented her anger"

"The graduates gave vent to cheers"

2

expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen

"air the old winter clothes"

"air out the smoke-filled rooms"

3

To allow gases to escape.

"The doctor decided to vent the patient's lungs using a mechanical respirator after they stopped breathing on their own."

4

To sell; to vend.

5

To ventilate; to use a ventilator; to use ventilation.

In plain English: To vent means to let out strong feelings of anger or frustration by talking about them loudly or acting on them.

"She decided to vent her frustration by shouting at the closed door."

Example Sentences
"The storm drain acted as an effective vent for the rising groundwater in the basement." noun
"The vent on the ceiling was blocked by dust and debris." noun
"He checked the kitchen vent to ensure proper airflow during cooking." noun
"There is a small vent near the door that lets in fresh air." noun
"She decided to vent her frustration by shouting at the closed door." verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
hole orifice crack slit activity express refresh
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
smoke hole

Origin

The word vent comes from the Old French words for "to blow" or "open," which were borrowed directly into English in the 15th century to mean an opening or outlet, particularly one used as a chimney flue. While it shares roots with Latin ventus, meaning wind, its specific sense of an aperture developed independently before entering Middle English usage.

Rhyming Words
ent bent ment went sent pent hent cent fent dent tent kent gent rent lent djent ament seent brent shent
Compare
Vent vs