Egress
/ˈiːɡrɛs/
nounverbC1
Definition
Egress is the action or path of going out from somewhere. As a noun, it refers to an exit or a way to leave a place, like a door or opening. As a verb, it means to leave or go out. It is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as safety rules or building design.
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See It in Action
Noun: A way or opening to go out of a place
- •The emergency egress was clearly marked with bright signs.
- •Make sure the windows can serve as an egress in case of fire.
- •The building has only one egress, which is not safe for large crowds.
Verb: To leave or go out from a place
- •The guests egressed the hall after the ceremony ended.
- •Please egress the room quietly when the meeting is over.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "egress" like "exit" (A1 word), but more formal and often used for safety or official reasons
- ✓Picture a door marked "Exit" that people use to leave a building quickly in an emergency
- ✓It's the feeling of relief when you find a way out of a crowded or confusing place
- ✓Sounds like "EE-gress" → imagine someone saying "E" like "easy" and "gress" like "gress" in "progress," meaning moving forward out of a place
- ✓Think of fire drills where everyone must find the egress to leave safely
- ✓NOT like "ingress" (which means entering or going in), egress means going out or leaving
- ✓NOT like "escape" (which often means leaving quickly to avoid danger), egress can be normal, calm leaving
- ✓NOT like "entrance" (way in), egress is the way out
Try Other Words
- •Exit: a way out or the act of leaving (Use in everyday conversation)
- •Way out: informal phrase for an exit (Use in casual speech)
- •Departure: the act of leaving (Use when talking about leaving a place or event, not physical doors)
- •Escape: leaving quickly to avoid danger (Use when leaving because of danger or emergency)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "e-" (out) + "gress" (step, go) → meaning "to go out"
- •Etymology: From Latin "egressus," past participle of "egredi," meaning to go out or step out
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 15th century to mean going out or exit
- •Modern usage: Common in architecture, safety instructions, and legal language to describe exits and leaving routes
Reflect & Connect
•How important is clear egress in buildings for safety, and what can happen if it is blocked?
•Can the idea of egress be used in other situations besides physical places? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.The fire safety plan requires every room to have at least two ___ for quick evacuation.
2.During the emergency, people used the main ___ to leave the building safely.
3.Unlike "ingress," which means going in, "egress" means ___ a place.
4.The sign pointed toward the nearest ___, so everyone could find the exit easily.
5.After the concert, the crowd slowly ___ through the doors without pushing.
6.The building code requires that all ___ routes be free of obstacles at all times.
7.If the only ___ is blocked, people may have trouble leaving quickly in an emergency.