English · Word Candidate

leak

/liːk/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: leaks · leaking · leaked

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A crack, crevice, fissure, or hole which admits water or other fluid, or lets it escape.

Noun

a leak in a roof

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

The entrance or escape of a fluid through a crack, fissure, or other aperture.

Noun

The leak gained on the ship's pumps.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To allow fluid or gas to pass through an opening that should be sealed.

Verb

The wells are believed to have been leaking oil for decades, long after the operating company ceased to exist.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

(of a fluid or gas) To pass through an opening that should be sealed.

Verb

The faucet has been leaking since last month.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “leak” mean?

A crack, crevice, fissure, or hole which admits water or other fluid, or lets it escape.

Is “leak” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.