VENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does vent mean? 

• VENT (noun)
  The noun VENT has 5 senses:

1. a hole for the escape of gas or air

2. external opening of urinary or genital system of a lower vertebrate

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

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

5. activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion

  Familiarity information: VENT used as a noun is common.

• VENT (verb)
  The verb VENT has 2 senses:

1. give expression or utterance to

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

  Familiarity information: VENT used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A hole for the escape of gas or air

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

blowhole; vent; vent-hole; venthole

Hypernyms ("vent" is a kind of...):

hole (an opening deliberately made in or through something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "vent"):

smoke hole (a vent (as in a roof) for smoke to escape)

Holonyms ("vent" is a part of...):

air duct; air passage; airway (a duct that provides ventilation (as in mines))

Derivation:

ventilate (expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen)

Sense 2

Meaning:

External opening of urinary or genital system of a lower vertebrate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("vent" is a kind of...):

opening; orifice; porta (an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity)

Sense 3

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Synonyms:

vent; volcano

Hypernyms ("vent" is a kind of...):

cleft; crack; crevice; fissure; scissure (a long narrow opening)

Domain member category:

eructation; eruption; extravasation ((of volcanos) pouring out fumes or lava (or a deposit so formed))

active ((of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt)

Sense 4

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("vent" is a kind of...):

slit (a long narrow opening)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

outlet; release; vent

Context example:

he gave vent to his anger

Hypernyms ("vent" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Derivation:

vent (give expression or utterance to)

• VENT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they vent    ... he / she / it vents   
Past simple: vented   
Past participle: vented   
-ing form: venting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give expression or utterance to

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

give vent; vent; ventilate

Context example:

The graduates gave vent to cheers

Hypernyms (to "vent" is one way to...):

evince; express; show (give expression to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

vent (activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion)

venter (a speaker who expresses or gives vent to a personal opinion or grievance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

air; air out; vent; ventilate

Context example:

air out the smoke-filled rooms

Hypernyms (to "vent" is one way to...):

freshen; refresh (make (to feel) fresh)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

venting (the act of venting)

 Context examples 

It was a volcanic vent full of blue clay. The Professors nodded.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Our discovery supports the idea that life emerged from hot, seafloor vents shortly after planet Earth formed.

(World's Oldest Fossils Unearthed, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The most likely explanation is that `Oumuamua is venting material from its surface due to solar heating — a behaviour known as outgassing.

(ESO’s VLT Sees `Oumuamua Getting a Boost, ESO)

It seemed to me that all that he had of late been suffering in silence found a vent at once.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Scientists believe Enceladus' hydrothermal vents may operate in the same way, supplying energy that leads to the production of amino acids.

(New Organic Compounds Found in Enceladus Ice Grains, NASA)

Additional investigation revealed the moon has a global ocean beneath its icy crust, from which the jets are venting into space.

(Powering Saturn's Active Ocean Moon, NASA)

When he reached home, he knew not upon whom to vent his rage and spite; and at length wicked thoughts came into his head, and he resolved to kill his brother.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

At home I should undoubtedly have given vent to my anguish; but this new and elemental environment seemed to call for a savage repression.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Mrs. Bennet was in fact too much overpowered to say a great deal while Sir William remained; but no sooner had he left them than her feelings found a rapid vent.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The most recent volcanic activity is thought to have taken place in the caldera-the bowl-shaped depression at the top — where 29 volcanic vents have been identified.

(Mars Volcano, Earth's Dinosaurs Went Extinct About the Same Time, NASA)