Leak vs. Drain — What's the Difference?

A leak is a way (usually an opening) for fluid to escape a container or fluid-containing system, such as a tank or a ship's hull, through which the contents of the container can escape or outside matter can enter the container. Leaks are usually unintended and therefore undesired.

To draw off (a liquid) by a gradual process

To permit the escape, entry, or passage of something through a breach or flaw

To cause liquid to go out from; empty

To escape or pass through a breach or flaw

To draw off the surface water of

To become publicly known through a breach of secrecy

To drink all the contents of

To permit (a substance) to escape or pass through a breach or flaw

To cause (a resource or supply of something) to be used up gradually and often completely.

To disclose without authorization or official sanction

To fatigue or spend emotionally or physically

A crack or flaw that permits something to escape from or enter a container or conduit

(Sports) To put (a ball or shot) into a hole or basket, as in golf or basketball

The act or instance of leaking.

To flow off or out

An amount leaked

To become empty by the drawing off of liquid

An unauthorized or a deliberate disclosure of confidential information

To discharge surface or excess water

Loss of electric current as a result of faulty insulation.

To become gradually depleted; dwindle

The path or place at which this loss takes place.

A pipe or channel by which liquid is drawn off.

A crack, crevice, fissure, or hole which admits water or other fluid, or lets it escape.

(Medicine) A device, such as a tube, inserted into the opening of a wound or body cavity to facilitate discharge of fluid or purulent material.

The entrance or escape of a fluid through a crack, fissure, or other aperture.

The act or process of draining.

A divulgation, or disclosure, of information previously held secret.

A gradual outflow or loss; consumption or depletion

The person through whom such divulgation, or disclosure, occurs.

Something that causes a gradual loss

A loss of electricity through imperfect insulation, or the point where it occurs.

A conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume; a plughole UK

(computing) The gradual loss of a system resource caused by failure to deallocate previously reserved portions.

An access point or conduit for rainwater that drains directly downstream in a (drainage) basin without going through sewers or water treatment in order to prevent or belay floods.

An act of urination.

Something consuming resources and providing nothing in return.

(ambitransitive) To allow fluid or gas to pass through an opening that should be sealed.

(vulgar) An act of urination.

(intransitive) (of a fluid or gas) To pass through an opening that should be sealed.

(electronics) One terminal of a field effect transistor (FET).

(ambitransitive) To disclose secret information surreptitiously or anonymously.

(pinball) An outhole.

To pass through when it would normally or preferably be blocked.

A drink.

To allow anything through that would normally or preferably be blocked.

(intransitive) To lose liquid.

To urinate.

(intransitive) To flow gradually.

To bleed.

To cause liquid to flow out of.

(obsolete) Leaky.

To convert a perennially wet place into a dry one.

A crack, crevice, fissure, or hole which admits water or other fluid, or lets it escape; as, a leak in a roof; a leak in a boat; a leak in a gas pipe.

(transitive) To deplete of energy or resources.

The entrance or escape of a fluid through a crack, fissure, or other aperture; as, the leak gained on the ship's pumps.

(transitive) To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to exhaust.

A loss of electricity through imperfect insulation; also, the point at which such loss occurs.

To filter.

An act of urinating; - used mostly in the phrase take a leak, i. e. to urinate.

To fall off the bottom of the playfield.

The disclosure of information that is expected to be kept confidential; as, leaks by the White House staff infuriated Nixon; leaks by the Special Prosecutor were criticized as illegal.

To drink.

Leaky.

To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.

To let water or other fluid in or out through a hole, crevice, etc.; as, the cask leaks; the roof leaks; the boat leaks.

To exhaust of liquid contents by drawing them off; to make gradually dry or empty; to remove surface water, as from streets, by gutters, etc.; to deprive of moisture; hence, to exhaust; to empty of wealth, resources, or the like; as, to drain a country of its specie.

To enter or escape, as a fluid, through a hole, crevice, etc.; to pass gradually into, or out of, something; - usually with in or out.

To filter.

An accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape;

To flow gradually; as, the water of low ground drains off.

Soft watery rot in fruits and vegetables caused by fungi

To become emptied of liquor by flowing or dropping; as, let the vessel stand and drain.

A euphemism for urination;

The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country; the project is a drain on resources.

The unwanted discharge of a fluid from some container;

That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.

Unauthorized (especially deliberate) disclosure of confidential information

The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains.

Tell anonymously;

Emptying accomplished by draining

Be leaked;

Tube inserted into a body cavity (as during surgery) to remove unwanted material

Enter or escape as through a hole or crack or fissure;

A pipe through which liquid is carried away

Have an opening that allows light or substances to enter or go out;

A gradual depletion of energy or resources;

Flow off gradually;

Deplete of resources;

Empty of liquid; drain the liquid from;

Make weak;