output
OWT-puut
Output (noun) means the amount of something produced, especially over a given period. Example: “The factory's output has doubled since the new machines arrived.”
noun
1
The amount of something produced, especially over a given period.
"The factory's output has doubled since the new machines arrived."
"His creative output slowed down after he became a father."
"The farm's milk output fell during the cold, wet winter."
2
Data or signals sent out from a computer or device.
"The program's output is printed straight to the screen."
"Check the output on the screen to see whether the code worked."
"The sound card turns the computer's output into music through your speakers."
verb
1
To produce something, or to send data out from a device or program.
"The generator can output enough power for the whole house."
"The script outputs the results as a spreadsheet."
"The printer outputs about twenty pages every minute."
How to use output
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat comes out of something — whether that's factory goods, computer data, or creative work.
Common pairings
economic output
output device
high output
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Word forms
- Plural
- outputs
- Third person singular
- outputs
- Past tense
- outputted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The factory's _____ has doubled since the new machines arrived.
Etymology
A nominalization of the phrase "put out" — literally "that which is put out."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “output” mean?
The word “output” means the amount of something produced, especially over a given period. In plain terms, what comes out of something — whether that's factory goods, computer data, or creative work.
How do you pronounce “output”?
“Output” is pronounced OWT-puut (/ˈaʊtpʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “output” in a sentence?
Here is “output” used in a sentence: “The factory's output has doubled since the new machines arrived.”
What part of speech is “output”?
Depending on how it is used, “output” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “output” a common word?
“Output” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “output” have?
“Output” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the amount of something produced, especially over a given period.
What is the difference between input and output?
Input is what goes into a process — the resources, materials, effort, or data you put in. Output is what comes out: the amount produced as a result. A factory's inputs are labour and raw materials; its output is the finished goods it turns out over a given period.
What is the difference between output and outcome?
Output is the quantity produced — how much is made or delivered. An outcome is the effect or result that output brings about. A training team's output might be fifty sessions delivered; the outcome is whether staff actually improved. Output measures activity, while outcome measures impact.
How is output measured?
Output is measured as a countable quantity over a set period — units per hour, cars per year, kilowatts generated, or words written per day. Economists track national output as GDP, while factories track it as production volume. The key is a number tied to a timeframe.
What is an example of output?
Everyday examples include a factory producing 500 cars a month, a power station's electricity generation, a writer's daily word count, or a worker's completed tasks. In computing, output is the information a program sends out — text on screen, a printed page, or a saved file.
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