escape escape /ɪˈskeɪp/

noun

1. () The act of escaping physically  ( flight , escape )
   the act of escaping physically
    He made his escape from the mental hospital
   he made his escape from the mental hospital
    The canary escaped from its cage
   the canary escaped from its cage
    His flight was an indication of his guilt
   his flight was an indication of his guilt
   
2. () An inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy  ( escapism , escape )
   an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy
    Romantic novels were her escape from the stress of daily life
   romantic novels were her escape from the stress of daily life
    His alcohol problem was a form of escapism
   his alcohol problem was a form of escapism
   
3. () A means or way of escaping  ( escape )
   a means or way of escaping
    Hard work was his escape from worry
   hard work was his escape from worry
    They installed a second hatch as an escape
   they installed a second hatch as an escape
    Their escape route
   their escape route
   
4. () An avoidance of danger or difficulty  ( escape )
   an avoidance of danger or difficulty
    That was a narrow escape
   that was a narrow escape
   
5. () Nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do  ( evasion , dodging , escape )
   nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do
    His evasion of his clear duty was reprehensible
   his evasion of his clear duty was reprehensible
    That escape from the consequences is possible but unattractive
   that escape from the consequences is possible but unattractive
   
6. A valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous level  ( escape , escape cock , escape valve , relief valve , safety valve )
   a valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous level
   
   
7. The discharge of a fluid from some container  ( escape , leak , leakage , outflow )
   the discharge of a fluid from some container
    They tried to stop the escape of gas from the damaged pipe
   they tried to stop the escape of gas from the damaged pipe
    He had to clean up the leak
   he had to clean up the leak
   
   
8. A plant originally cultivated but now growing wild  ( escape )
   a plant originally cultivated but now growing wild
   

verb

1. () Run away from confinement  ( break loose , get away , escape )
   run away from confinement
    The convicted murderer escaped from a high security prison
   The convicted murderer escaped from a high security prison
   
2. () Fail to experience  ( miss , escape )
   fail to experience
    Fortunately, I missed the hurricane
   Fortunately, I missed the hurricane
   
3. () Escape potentially unpleasant consequences; get away with a forbidden action  ( get out , get by , get off [Informal] , escape , get away )
   escape potentially unpleasant consequences; get away with a forbidden action
    She gets away with murder!
   She gets away with murder!
    I couldn't get out from under these responsibilities
   I couldn't get out from under these responsibilities
   
4. () Be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by  ( elude , escape )
   be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by
    What you are seeing in him eludes me
   What you are seeing in him eludes me
   
5. Issue or leak, as from a small opening  ( escape )
   issue or leak, as from a small opening
    Gas escaped into the bedroom
   Gas escaped into the bedroom
   
6. Flee; take to one's heels; cut and run  ( break away , bunk [Informal] , escape , fly the coop [Informal] , head for the hills [Informal] , hightail it [Informal, N. American] , scarper [Informal, British] , scat [Informal] , take to the woods [Informal] , lam [Informal, N. American] , run , run away , turn tail [Informal] )
   flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
    If you see this man, run!
   If you see this man, run!
    The burglars escaped before the police showed up
   The burglars escaped before the police showed up
   
7. Remove oneself from a familiar environment, usually for pleasure or diversion  ( escape , get away )
   remove oneself from a familiar environment, usually for pleasure or diversion
    We escaped to our summer house for a few days
   We escaped to our summer house for a few days
    The president of the company never manages to get away during the summer
   The president of the company never manages to get away during the summer