exhaust Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun gases ejected from an engine as waste products
    exhaust fumes; fumes.
  2. noun system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged
    exhaust system.
  3. verb wear out completely
    wash up; tucker; beat; tucker out.
    • This kind of work exhausts me
    • I'm beat
    • He was all washed up after the exam
  4. verb use up (resources or materials)
    consume; wipe out; deplete; use up; eat up; eat; run through.
    • this car consumes a lot of gas
    • We exhausted our savings
    • They run through 20 bottles of wine a week
  5. verb deplete
    run down; play out; sap; tire.
    • exhaust one's savings
    • We quickly played out our strength
  6. verb use up the whole supply of
    • We have exhausted the food supplies
  7. verb eliminate (a substance)
    release; expel; eject; discharge.
    • combustion products are exhausted in the engine
    • the plant releases a gas

WordNet

Ex*haust" transitive verb
Etymology
L. exhaustus, p.p. of exhaurire; ex out + haurire, haustum, to draw, esp. water; perhaps akin to Icel. asua to sprinkle, pump.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Exhausted; present participle & verbal noun Exhausting
Definitions
  1. To draw or let out wholly; to drain off completely; as, to exhaust the water of a well; the moisture of the earth is exhausted by evaporation.
  2. To empty by drawing or letting out the contents; as, to exhaust a well, or a treasury.
  3. To drain, metaphorically; to use or expend wholly, or till the supply comes to an end; to deprive wholly of strength; to use up; to weary or tire out; to wear out; as, to exhaust one's strength, patience, or resources.
    A decrepit, exhausted old man at fifty-five. Motley.
  4. To bring out or develop completely; to discuss thoroughly; as, to exhaust a subject.
  5. (Chem.) To subject to the action of various solvents in order to remove all soluble substances or extractives; as, to exhaust a drug successively with water, alcohol, and ether. Syn. -- To spend; consume; tire out; weary.
Ex*haust" adjective
Etymology
L. exhaustus, p.p.
Definitions
  1. Drained; exhausted; having expended or lost its energy.
  2. Pertaining to steam, air, gas, etc., that is released from the cylinder of an engine after having preformed its work.
Ex*haust" noun
Definitions
(Steam Engine)
  1. The steam let out of a cylinder after it has done its work there.
  2. The foul air let out of a room through a register or pipe provided for the purpose.

Webster 1913