exit

1 of 3

script annotation

ex·​it ˈeg-zət How to pronounce exit (audio) ˈek-sət How to pronounce exit (audio)
Synonyms of exitnext
—used as a stage direction to specify who goes off stage

exit

2 of 3

noun

1
: a departure from a stage
2
a
: the act of going out or away
made an early exit
b
: death
3
: a way out of an enclosed place or space
4
: one of the designated points of departure from an expressway
exitless adjective

exit

3 of 3

verb

exited; exiting; exits

intransitive verb

1
: to go out or away : depart
2
: die

transitive verb

1
: leave sense 3a
2
: to cause (a computer program or routine) to cease running

Synonyms of exit

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Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
There is a crash on North 57 Street from exit 417 to I-70 West. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 Why Private Credit Feels This First The exit freeze does not just strand equity holders. — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
The technique requires kayakers to capsize on purpose and practice exiting the craft underwater. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026 At times this summer, Melvin Smith played over Kristian Fulton, but Smith exited Friday night’s game early because of an injury, and Fulton played well, breaking up a pass in the end zone. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing exit

Browse Nearby Words

existimation
exit
exit cone
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exit. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

exit

1 of 3
ex·​it ˈeg-zət How to pronounce exit (audio) ˈek-sət How to pronounce exit (audio)
—used as a stage direction to indicate who goes off the stage

exit

2 of 3 noun
1
: a departure from a stage
2
: the act of going out or away
3
: 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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