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verb (used with object)
  5. to create a vacuum in.
  6. to draw out or drain off completely.
  8. Chemistry, Pharmacology. to deprive of ingredients by the use of solvents, as a drug.
verb (used without object)
noun Machinery.
  2. the steam or gases ejected.

Origin of exhaust

1515–25; 1895–1900 for def 11; < Latin exhaustus emptied out, drained out, past participle of exhaurīre
Related formsex·haust·er, nounex·haust·i·ble, adjectiveex·haust·i·bil·i·ty, nounmul·ti·ex·haust, nounnon·ex·haust·ed, adjectivenon·ex·haust·i·ble, adjectivepre·ex·haust, verb (used with object)un·ex·haust·ed, adjectiveun·ex·haust·ed·ly, adverb


See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
1. tire, enervate, prostrate, debilitate. 2. waste, squander, dissipate. 4. void. 12. fumes, smoke, vapor.


1. strengthen, invigorate. 4. fill.

Examples from the Web for exhaust

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • For example, there is neither an intake or exhaust manifold on the motor.

    Flying Machines

    W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell

  • Their historians said that toil did not wear out his body or exhaust his energy.

    Introductory American History

    Henry Eldridge Bourne

  • Thad opened the exhaust valve, let the air hiss from the chamber of the lock.

    Salvage in Space

    John Stewart Williamson

  • Is there a single spot which the eye, by any peering or prying, can fathom or exhaust?

  • You'll get a hernia of your exhaust pipe if you stay so tense.

    Arm of the Law

    Harry Harrison

British Dictionary definitions for exhaust


verb (mainly tr)
  1. to drain the energy of; tire outto exhaust someone by constant questioning
  2. to deprive of resources, etca nation exhausted by war
  3. to deplete totally; expend; consumeto 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 remainsto 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
  1. gases ejected from an engine as waste products
    1. the expulsion of expanded gas or steam from an engine
    2. (as modifier)exhaust stroke
    1. the parts of an engine through which the exhausted gases or steam pass
    2. (as modifier)exhaust valve; exhaust pipe
Derived Formsexhausted, adjectiveexhauster, nounexhaustible, adjectiveexhaustibility, nounexhausting, adjective

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for exhaust


1530s, "to draw off or out, to use up completely," from Latin exhaustus, past participle of exhaurire "draw off, take away, use up," from ex- "off" (see ex-) + haurire "to draw up" (as water), from PIE *aus- "to draw water." Of resources, etc., from 1630s. Related: Exhausted; exhausting.


"waste gas," 1848, originally from steam engines, from exhaust (v.). In reference to internal combustion engines by 1896.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper