Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense vents, present participle venting, past tense, past participle vented
1. countable noun
A vent is a hole in something through which air can come in and smoke, gas, or smells can go out.
Quite a lot of steam escaped from the vent at the front of the machine.
There was a small air vent in the ceiling. [+ in]
Synonyms: outlet, opening, hole, split More Synonyms of vent
2. verb
If you vent your feelings, you express them forcefully.
She phoned her best friend to vent her frustration. [VERB noun]
The rioters were prevented from venting their anger on the police. [VERB noun + on]
Synonyms: express, release, voice, air More Synonyms of vent
3.
See to give vent to
4.
See to give vent to
vent in British English1
(vɛnt)
noun
1.
a small opening for the passage or escape of fumes, liquids, etc
2.
the shaft of a volcano or an aperture in the earth's crust through which lava and gases erupt
3.
the external opening of the urinary or genital systems of lower vertebrates
4.
a small aperture at the breech of old guns through which the charge was ignited
5.
an exit, escape, or passage
6. give vent to
verb(mainly tr)
7.
to release or give expression or utterance to (an emotion, idea, etc)
he vents his anger on his family
8.
to provide a vent for or make vents in
9.
to let out (steam, liquid, etc) through a vent
Derived forms
venter (ˈventer)
noun
ventless (ˈventless)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old French esventer to blow out, from ex-1 + venter, from Vulgar Latin ventāre (unattested) to be windy, from Latin ventus wind
vent in British English2
(vɛnt)
noun
1.
a vertical slit at the back or both sides of a jacket
verb
2. (transitive)
to make a vent or vents in (a jacket)
Word origin
C15: from Old French fente slit, from fendre to split, from Latin findere to cleave
vent in American English1
(vɛnt)
noun
1. Rare
the action of escaping or passing out, or the means or opportunity to do this; issue; outlet
2.
expression; release
giving vent to emotion
3.
a.
a small hole or opening to permit passage or escape, as of a gas
b. US
a small triangular window or, now esp., an opening on or beneath the dashboard, for letting air into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle
4.
in early guns, the small hole at the breech through which a spark passes to set off the charge
5.
the opening in a volcano from which gas and molten rock erupt
6. Zoology
the excretory opening in animals; esp., the external opening of the cloaca in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes
verb transitive
7.
to make a vent in or provide a vent for
8.
to allow (steam, gas, etc.) to escape through an opening
9.
to give release or expression to
10.
to relieve or unburden by giving vent to feelings
to vent oneself in curses
Word origin
ME venten < OFr venter, to blow (or aphetic < OFr esventer, to expose to the air, let out < es-, out + venter) < VL *ventare < L ventus, wind2
vent in American English2
(vɛnt)
noun
1.
a vertical slit in a garment, esp. one put in the back or sides of a coat
verb transitive
2.
to make a vent or vents in
Word origin
ME vent, altered (infl. by vent1) < fente < OFr < VL *findita, fem. pp., for L fissus, pp. of findere, to split: see fission
vent in American English1
(vent)
noun
1.
an opening, as in a wall, serving as an outlet for air, smoke, fumes, or the like
2.
an opening at the earth's surface from which volcanic material, as lava, steam, or gas, is emitted
3. Zoology
the anal or excretory opening of animals, esp. of those below mammals, as birds and reptiles
4.
the small opening at the breech of a gun by which fire is communicated to the charge
5.
a means of exit or escape; an outlet, as from confinement
6.
expression; utterance; release
to give vent to one's emotions
7. obsolete
the act or fact of venting; emission or discharge
transitive verb
8.
to give free play or expression to (an emotion, passion, etc.)
to vent rage
9.
to give public utterance to
to vent one's opinions
10.
to relieve by giving expression to something
He vented his disappointment by criticizing his successor
11.
to release or discharge (liquid, smoke, etc.)
12.
to furnish or provide with a vent or vents
intransitive verb
13.
to be relieved of pressure or discharged by means of a vent
14. (of an otter or other animal)
to rise to the surface of the water to breathe
Derived forms
ventless
adjective
Word origin
[1350–1400; (v.) ME venten to furnish (a vessel) with a vent, by aphesis ‹ OF esventer (es-ex- + -venter, v. deriv. of vent ‹ L ventuswind1), in later use deriv. of the E n.; (n.) partly ‹ F vent (‹ L ventus), partly by aphesis ‹ F évent (OF esvent, deriv. of esventer), partly deriv. of the E v.]
vent in American English2
(vent)
noun
a slit in the back or side of a coat, jacket, or other garment, at the bottom part of a seam
Word origin
[1400–50; late ME vente; r. ME fente ‹ MF, deriv. of fendre to slit ‹ L findere to split]
vent in the Oil and Gas Industry
(vɛnt)
Word forms: (regular plural) vents
noun
(Extractive engineering: Refinery processes)
A vent is a device used to control the escape of exhaust gases in a process.
Vents can be used for discharging gas into the atmosphere under controlled conditions.
Vent devices are used to relieve the overpressure from the deflagration.
A vent is a device used to control the escape of exhaust gases in a process.
Examples of 'vent' in a sentence
vent
He urged students to stop venting their anger on social media and become activists.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Fans vented their anger and players struggled to contain their frustrations.
The Sun (2016)
And hundreds of fans vented their anger before kick-off.
The Sun (2017)
I went to the same window and clung to an air vent ten metres above the ground.
The Sun (2016)
Better to'make yourself human' by giving vent to the full wail of the human condition than to bear the thing graciously and not make a fuss.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a place that gives the freedom to speak about the pain and vent emotions.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are pretty roomy skirt department and have an adjustable back vent for extra flare.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They were getting ready to pack up to move and saw smoke coming through the air vents.
The Sun (2012)
The only downside to his job is the anger vented by disappointed fans.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
When the government refused they vented their anger on their prisoner.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They solved this by putting vent holes in the bottom.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This is why the engineers are venting steam into the atmosphere.
The Sun (2011)
The side air vents on the front wing are finished in blue carbon fibre.
The Sun (2011)
But celebs and fans vented their fury on websites.
The Sun (2010)
My tailor adapted the jacket by putting air holes under the arms and deep vents at the back.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The silver lining to this cloud is the opportunity to give full vent to your own interior design tastes.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Air vents in the bonnet and aluminium finish to the vents in the front wings further emphasise the extra potential.
The Sun (2006)
And he found time to write two volumes of autobiography in which he could give full vent to his views on theatre.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
By the afternoon, some of those overlooked for promotion were already venting their frustration.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The study called for the pool to be covered and for its toxic gases to be vented through a 50ft pipe.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The perpetual gloom, ferocious heat and toxicity of deep ocean volcanic vents make them an unlikely home for any creature.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The stub nose drops viciously over the front wheels, while the front air vents have been enlarged to feed the more powerful engine.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can try covering floor vents, blocking fire doors open or e-mailing complaints.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
vent
British English: vent NOUN
A vent is a hole in something through which air can come in and smoke, gas, or smells can go out.
A lot of steam escaped from the vent at the front of the machine.
American English: vent
Brazilian Portuguese: abertura
Chinese: 通风孔
European Spanish: rejilla de ventilación
French: conduit d'aérationN
German: Abzug
Italian: foro
Japanese: 排気口
Korean: 환풍구
European Portuguese: abertura
Latin American Spanish: rejilla de ventilación
British English: vent VERB
If you vent your feelings, you express them forcefully.
She telephoned her best friend to vent her frustration.
American English: vent
Brazilian Portuguese: desabafar
Chinese: 发泄
European Spanish: desahogar
French: exprimer
German: abreagieren
Italian: sfogare
Japanese: ぶちまける
Korean: 분을 터뜨리다
European Portuguese: desabafar
Latin American Spanish: desahogar
All related terms of 'vent'
air vent
a small opening through which air can escape from an enclosed space
back vent
a vent situated on the sewer side of a trap
vent glass
the triangular shaped glass on the side of an automobile between the windshield and the front door glass
vent gleet
inflammation of the cloaca in poultry , characterized by a yellowish discharge accompanied by local swelling and congestion
give vent to
to release (an emotion , passion , idea, etc) in an utterance or outburst
Îles du Vent
a group of islands in the S Pacific , in French Polynesia in the W Society Archipelago : Moorea, Maio (Tubuai Manu), and Mehetia and Tetiaroa. Pop: 184 222 (2002)
vol-au-vent
a very light puff pastry case filled either with a savoury mixture in a richly flavoured sauce or sometimes with fruit
hydrothermal vent
an opening on the floor of the sea from which hot , mineral-rich solutions issue
to give vent to
If you give vent to your feelings , you express them forcefully.
Îles sous le Vent
a group of islands in the Caribbean , in the N Lesser Antilles between Puerto Rico and Martinique
Chinese translation of 'vent'
vent
(vɛnt)
n(c)
(for air, smoke etc) 孔 (kǒng)
vt
[feelings, anger]发(發)泄(洩) (fāxiè)
to give vent to[feelings, anger]发(發)泄(洩) (fāxiè)
(noun)
Definition
a small opening in something through which fresh air can enter and fumes can be released
There was a small air vent in the ceiling.
Synonyms
outlet
The leak was caused by a fracture in the cooling water outlet.
opening
He squeezed through an opening in the fence.
hole
They got in through a hole in the wall.
kids with holes in the knees of their jeans
split
aperture
Through the aperture he could see daylight.
duct
orifice
Viruses get into the body via any convenient orifice.
(verb)
Definition
to release or express freely
She telephoned her best friend to vent her frustration.
Synonyms
express
release
voice
Scientists have voiced concern that the disease could be passed to humans.
air
The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting.
empty
discharge
The resulting salty water will be discharged at sea.
utter
emit
The stove emitted a cloud of evil-smelling smoke.
come out with
pour out
give vent to
give expression to
Opposites
repress
,
curb
,
inhibit
,
hold back
,
subdue
,
stifle
,
quash
,
quell
,
bottle up
Additional synonyms
in the sense of air
Definition
to expose to air to dry or ventilate
The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting.
Synonyms
publicize,
tell,
reveal,
exhibit,
communicate,
voice,
express,
display,
declare,
expose,
disclose,
proclaim,
utter,
circulate,
make public,
divulge,
disseminate,
ventilate,
make known,
give vent to,
take the wraps off
in the sense of aperture
Definition
a hole or opening
Through the aperture he could see daylight.
Synonyms
opening,
space,
hole,
crack,
gap,
rent,
passage,
breach,
slot,
vent,
rift,
slit,
cleft,
eye,
chink,
fissure,
orifice,
perforation,
eyelet,
interstice
in the sense of discharge
Definition
to cause to pour forth
The resulting salty water will be discharged at sea.
Synonyms
pour forth,
release,
empty,
leak,
emit,
dispense,
void,
gush,
ooze,
exude,
give off,
excrete,
disembogue
Synonyms of 'vent'
vent
Explore 'vent' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of emit
Definition
to give or send forth (heat, light, a smell, etc.)
The stove emitted a cloud of evil-smelling smoke.
Synonyms
give off,
release,
shed,
leak,
transmit,
discharge,
send out,
throw out,
vent,
issue,
give out,
radiate,
eject,
pour out,
diffuse,
emanate,
exude,
exhale,
breathe out,
cast out,
give vent to,
send forth
in the sense of hole
Definition
an opening in or through something
They got in through a hole in the wall.kids with holes in the knees of their jeans
Synonyms
opening,
split,
crack,
break,
tear,
gap,
rent,
breach,
outlet,
vent,
puncture,
aperture,
fissure,
orifice,
perforation
in the sense of opening
Definition
a hole or gap
He squeezed through an opening in the fence.
Synonyms
hole,
break,
space,
tear,
split,
crack,
gap,
rent,
breach,
slot,
outlet,
vent,
puncture,
rupture,
aperture,
cleft,
chink,
fissure,
orifice,
perforation,
interstice
in the sense of orifice
Definition
an opening or hole through which something can pass, esp. one in the body such as the mouth or anus
Viruses get into the body via any convenient orifice.
Synonyms
opening,
space,
hole,
split,
mouth,
gap,
rent,
breach,
vent,
pore,
rupture,
aperture,
cleft,
chink,
fissure,
perforation,
interstice
in the sense of voice
Definition
to express verbally
Scientists have voiced concern that the disease could be passed to humans.