leaking

When a liquid or gas gets out through a hole or crack in something that should be sealed, it is leaking. Think of a water pipe with a small hole — the water slowly drips out. That pipe is leaking.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

The roof is leaking — there is water dripping onto the floor.

2verblight or sound passing through

Light or sound can also 'leak' — meaning it passes through a gap or barrier where it is not supposed to. Imagine a dark room where a thin line of light comes in under the door. That light is leaking in.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

Light was leaking through the curtains and waking me up early.

Sound was leaking out of the headphones, so everyone nearby could hear the music.

Cold air was leaking in through the gaps around the window frame.

When private or secret information is shared with people who are not supposed to know it — either by accident or on purpose — we say it is leaking. This is very common in news and politics.

news, politics, business · Modern, widely used · figurative

You can use 'leaking' as an adjective to describe an object that has a hole or crack and is letting something escape. It tells you the current state of that object.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

A plumber came to fix the leaking pipe under the sink.

She placed a bucket under the leaking tap to catch the water.