electrical outlet
7
3.0
- noun
- /ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈaʊtˌlɛt/
- US
:
enchufe
- The chair plugs into a standard electrical outlet.
- need for an electrical outlet
Examples
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Many older school libraries are small and usually have too much permanent shelving and too few electrical outlets.
Academic text (2014) -
I need to find an electrical outlet to charge my phone.
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Do you have a free electrical outlet somewhere?
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The fire started from an electrical outlet and spread through the house.
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Stay away from those electrical outlets, okay?
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There's an electrical outlet here.
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Electrical outlets throughout the library to power and recharge mobile devices are also required.
Academic text (2014) -
Make sure the space has plenty of electrical outlets to reduce or eliminate extension cords.
Academic text (2014) -
The pest control contractor examined the electrical outlet boxes under the computer tables on the fifth floor.
Academic text (2009) -
I'm blogging today from a midtown Starbucks, where every available electrical outlet is being used by displaced downtowners.
Blog text (6)
Synonyms
53
2.7
A point in a wall where you plug in electrical devices to get power
24
2.8
A place in a wall where you plug devices to get power
3
2.9
A place in a wall where you plug in an electrical device to get power
2
7.1
A socket where you plug in power cords
1
2.4
A socket in a wall that lets you plug in devices to get power
1
2.4
An electrical socket in a wall where you connect a device to get power
A wall socket where you plug devices to get electricity
A socket in a wall that you plug devices into to get power
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a socket into which an electrical plug can be inserted' is directly and transparently derived from 'electrical' (relating to electricity) + 'outlet' (a receptacle). This noun–noun compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.
Etymology
Electrical outlet comes from the simple image of a place where electricity comes out. The word outlet means a way out, so an electrical outlet is a socket where you put a 'plug' to get 'power'.