Vent - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT vent /vɛnt/ /vɛnt/ IPA guide

Other forms: vented; vents; venting

When you vent, you let something out, whether it's hot air or your feelings. If you vent your feelings, you let out a strong and sometimes angry emotion and just say what you think.

You might vent your rage when your brother once again gets out of doing his chores. You also might vent something to air it out. If it's too hot inside your car, vent it by opening a window. The noun vent refers to a hole that lets air escape. A clothes dryer has a vent that sends hot air outside. A vent in nature is a crack in the earth's surface that lets hot gas and lava escape — like a volcano.

Definitions of vent

noun a hole for the escape of gas or air synonyms: blowhole, vent-hole, venthole see moresee less types: smoke hole a vent (as in a roof) for smoke to escape type of: hole an opening deliberately made in or through something
noun external opening of urinary or genital system of a lower vertebrate see moresee less type of: opening, orifice, porta an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
noun a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt synonyms: volcano see moresee less type of: cleft, crack, crevice, fissure, scissure a long narrow opening
noun a slit in a garment (as in the back seam of a jacket) see moresee less type of: slit a long narrow opening
noun activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion “he gave vent to his anger” synonyms: outlet, release see moresee less type of: activity any specific behavior
verb expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen synonyms: air, air out, ventilate see moresee less type of: freshen, refresh make (to feel) fresh
verb give expression or utterance to “She vented her anger” synonyms: give vent, ventilate see moresee less type of: evince, express, show give expression to

Pronunciation US /vɛnt/ UK /vɛnt/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘vent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing vent

Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

Vocabulary from Cormac McCarthy's "The Road."

Ventus and Venire "Ten Freaky Forces of Nature"

by Douglas E. Richards You can read the National Geographic article here: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/spacescience/freaky-forces-of-nature/ .

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