Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small or narrow opening through which fluid or air can enter a tube, container, or machine: An "inlet" is an opening designed to allow the entry of a substance, such as water into a pipe or air into an engine.
   • A small arm of the sea, a lake, or a river; a narrow body of water leading inland from a larger body or between islands: An "inlet" is a narrow water passage, often between headlands or connecting a bay to a larger sea.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Opening):
  • The mechanic checked the air inlet of the engine.
  • Block the water inlet before you disconnect the hose.
• Noun (Body of Water):
  • The boat was anchored in a quiet, sheltered inlet.
  • We explored several rocky inlets along the coast.

Advanced Usage

• "Inlet valve": A valve controlling the entry of fluid or gas into a chamber or cylinder.
  • The inlet valve was stuck, causing the pump to fail.
• "Tidal inlet": A narrow channel where tidal water flows in and out.
  • The tidal inlet creates strong currents at certain times of the day.

Variants and Related Words

• Inlet pipe (n): A pipe through which a fluid enters a system.
  • The inlet pipe was corroded and needed replacement.
• Cove (n): A small, sheltered bay or inlet, often with a narrow entrance.
  • They found a secluded cove for a picnic.
• Fjord (n): A long, deep, narrow inlet of the sea between high cliffs, typically formed by glacial activity.
  • The cruise sailed through a majestic Norwegian fjord.

Synonyms

• Opening: A gap or hole that allows entry.
• Entrance: A point or place of entering.
• Creek: A narrow, sheltered waterway, especially in a marsh or near a coast.
• Bayou: A marshy inlet or outlet of a lake or river, common in the southern United States.

Related Phrases

• "Fuel inlet": The point where fuel enters an engine or system.
  • Check the fuel inlet for any blockages.
• "Inlet manifold": A system of pipes that distributes air or fuel to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine.
  • A leak was detected in the inlet manifold.

Related Idioms

(Note: The word "inlet" itself is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. The idioms below are related to the concept of water passages.) - "Up the creek (without a paddle)": In a difficult or hopeless situation. - If we run out of gas in this inlet, we'll be up the creek. - "Still waters run deep": A quiet or placid person may have profound thoughts or a complex personality (often associated with calm inlets or bodies of water). - He's quiet, but remember, still waters run deep.

Noun

1. an opening through which fluid is admitted to a tube or container
2. an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)