exit

1 of 3

script annotation

ex·it ˈeg-zət

ˈek-sət

Synonyms of exit next

—used as a stage direction to specify who goes off stage

exit

2 of 3

noun

: a departure from a stage

: the act of going out or away

made an early exit

: death

: a way out of an enclosed place or space

: one of the designated points of departure from an expressway

exitless adjective

exit

3 of 3

verb

exited; exiting; exits

intransitive verb

: to go out or away : depart

: die

transitive verb

: leave sense 3a

: to cause (a computer program or routine) to cease running

Examples of exit in a Sentence

Noun Use the emergency exit in case of fire. There are 12 exits in the building. We can't get out this way: the sign says “No Exit.” Verb The team exited the tournament early. Save your work and then exit the program.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

That danger is heightened in the context of Trump’s moves to sanction, exit or criticize international agencies, and to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID). —

Rob Picheta, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025 One question that went unanswered was: Who was the big guy at Cal’s side during his entrance and exit? —

Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025

Verb

For example, Geico exited its Premier Partner status after the 2024 season. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025 Launch Ministry opened the Launch Cafe on Jan. 15 with the intent of being a gathering place and community hub, while supporting others in need, particularly youth who are exiting homelessness. —

Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for exit

Word History

Etymology

Script annotation

borrowed from Latin, third person singular present indicative of exeō, exīre "to come or go out," from ex- ex- entry 1 + īre "to go" — more at issue entry 1

Noun

in part derivative of exit entry 1 or exit entry 3, in part borrowed from Latin exitus "act of going out, departure, means of departure, way out, final point, conclusion," from exi-, variant stem of exīre "to come or go out" (from ex- ex- entry 1 + īre "to go") + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at issue entry 1

Verb

derivative of exit entry 1 or exit entry 2

First Known Use

Script Annotation

circa 1548, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of exit was circa 1548

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Exit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exit. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

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Kids Definition

exit

1 of 3

ex·it ˈeg-zət

ˈek-sət

—used as a stage direction to indicate who goes off the stage

exit

2 of 3 noun

: a departure from a stage

: the act of going out or away

: a way to go out of a place

exit

3 of 3 verb

: to go out : leave, depart

Etymology

from Latin exit "he or she goes out," from exire "to go out," from ex- "out of, from" and ire "to go" — related to issue, itinerary

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exit

script annotation

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of exit in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near exit

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition