exhaust

[ ig-zawst ]

verb (used with object)

1. to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly, as a person:

   I have exhausted myself working.

   Synonyms: debilitate, prostrate, enervate, tire

   Antonyms: invigorate, strengthen

2. to use up or consume completely; expend the whole of:

   He exhausted a fortune in stock-market speculation.

   Synonyms: dissipate, squander, waste

3. to draw out all that is essential in (a subject, topic, etc.); treat or study thoroughly.
4. to empty by drawing out the contents:

   to exhaust a tank of fuel oil.

   Synonyms: void

   Antonyms: fill

5. to create a vacuum in.
6. to draw out or drain off completely.
7. to deprive wholly of useful or essential properties, possessions, resources, etc.
8. Chemistry, Pharmacology. to deprive of ingredients by the use of solvents, as a drug.
9. to destroy the fertility of (soil), as by intensive cultivation.

verb (used without object)

1. to pass out or escape, as spent steam from the cylinder of an engine.

noun

, Machinery.

1. the escape of steam or gases from the cylinder of an engine.
2. the steam or gases ejected.

   Synonyms: vapor, smoke, fume

3. Also called exhaust system. the parts of an engine through which the exhaust is ejected.

exhaust

/ ɪɡˈzɔːst /

verb

1. to drain the energy of; tire out

   to exhaust someone by constant questioning

2. to deprive of resources, etc

   a nation exhausted by war

3. to deplete totally; expend; consume

   to exhaust food supplies

4. to empty (a container) by drawing off or pumping out (the contents)
5. to develop or discuss thoroughly so that no further interest remains

   to exhaust a topic of conversation

6. to remove gas from (a vessel, etc) in order to reduce the pressure or create a vacuum; evacuate
7. to remove or use up the active ingredients from (a drug, solution, etc)
8. to destroy the fertility of (soil) by excessive cultivation
9. intr (of steam or other gases) to be emitted or to escape from an engine after being expanded

noun

1. gases ejected from an engine as waste products
2. 1. the expulsion of expanded gas or steam from an engine
   2. ( as modifier )

      exhaust stroke

3. 1. the parts of an engine through which the exhausted gases or steam pass
   2. ( as modifier )

      exhaust pipe

      exhaust valve

Derived Forms

• exˈhaustible, adjective
• exˌhaustiˈbility, noun
• exˈhausting, adjective
• exˈhausted, adjective
• exˈhauster, noun

Other Words From

• ex·haust·er noun
• ex·haust·i·ble adjective
• ex·haust·i·bil·i·ty [ig-zaws-t, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• mul·ti·ex·haust noun
• non·ex·haust·ed adjective
• non·ex·haust·i·ble adjective
• pre·ex·haust verb (used with object)
• un·ex·haust·ed adjective
• un·ex·haust·ed·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhaust¹

1515–25; 1895–1900 exhaust fordef 11; < Latin exhaustus emptied out, drained out, past participle of exhaurīre

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhaust¹

C16: from Latin exhaustus made empty, from exhaurīre to draw out, from haurīre to draw, drain

Example Sentences

Air pollution sources include burning coal for energy, the exhaust from cars and trucks, as well as smoke from fires set by farmers in India.

From NewsForKids.net

Industrial plants, such as those that make cement or steel, emit copious amounts of carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas, but the exhaust is too hot for state-of-the-art carbon removal technology.

From Science Daily

The problem, Johnson said, is field events consist of multiple attempts of a given throw or jump, with the winner determined after each competitor has exhausted all their tries.

From Los Angeles Times

We find it pointless for both of us to be trying to watch Matilda, because then you just have two people who are exhausted.

From Los Angeles Times

The first of the six-part ad series sees an exhausted French on her way home, complaining about how much she has to do.

From BBC

Related Words

• drain
• fatigue
• frazzle
• impoverish
• overwork
• sap
• tire out
• use up
• weaken
• wear out
• weary