electric outlet
- noun
- /ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈaʊtˌlɛt/
- US
- Hooked up by a long extension cord to an electric outlet in the toilet.
And while the grounding mat itself is not electrical, it's plugging into an electrical outlet.
- And while the grounding mat itself is not electrical, it's plugging into an electrical outlet.
Examples
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To me this means that there's going to be some sort of electrical outlet that doesn't even work and they thought this would take me two hours.
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She says he can see and hear her through her phone and the electric outlets in her house.
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There are even electric outlets there for a coffee pot, lamp, or whatever.
Blog text (5) -
She says he can see and hear her through her phone and the electric outlets in her house.
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I don't know what to say to somebody who stuck a fork in an electric outlet.
Fiction book (2000) -
Are all electric outlets, switches, thermostats, and other important electrical features in reach of someone in a seated position?
Blog text (15) -
One of the things you're going to want in your your new house that is an old house is good Wi-Fi and enough electrical outlets and reliable plumbing.
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Yet, despite this close-range observation, when a building was finally completed and fully equipped with elevators, flush toilets, electric outlets, and miles of plumbing, it still seemed to me a miracle.
Academic text (1994) -
The train cars come equipped with roomy tray tables, and there are electric outlets so business travelers can plug in their laptops.
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The 900-square-foot cafe will have multiple electric outlets for customers to use their devices.
Synonyms
A point in a wall where you plug in electrical devices to get power
A place in a wall where you plug devices to get power
A socket in a wall where you plug in a phone charger or lamp to get power
A place in a wall where you plug in an electrical device to get power
A socket where you plug in power cords
An electrical socket in a wall where you connect a device to get power
A socket in a wall that you plug devices into to get power
A wall socket where you plug devices to get electricity
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'electric' (relating to electrical power) with 'outlet' (a receptacle/place for plugging in); the adjective-noun composition clearly indicates a socket that provides electricity. This is a common, cross-linguistically regular formation, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Electric outlet mixes electric for electricity and outlet for a place something flows out. Imagine a small opening in the wall where power 'flows out' to your plug, so it means 'a socket that gives electrical power'.