- 1[transitive] to remove everything that is in a container, etc. empty something He emptied the ashtrays, washed the glasses, and went to bed. He emptied his glass and asked for a refill. empty something out I emptied out my pockets but could not find my keys. empty something out of something She emptied the water out of the vase. empty something of something The room had been emptied of all furniture. (figurative) She emptied her mind of all thoughts of home.
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- 2[intransitive] to become empty The streets soon emptied when the rain started. empty out The tank empties out in five minutes.
- 3[transitive] empty something (out) to take out the contents of something and put them somewhere else She emptied the contents of her bag onto the table. Many factories emptied their waste into the river.
- 4[transitive] empty something to make sure that everyone leaves a room, building, etc. synonym evacuate Police had instructions to empty the building because of a bomb threat.
- 5[intransitive] to flow or move out from one place to another empty into/onto something The Rhine empties into the North Sea. empty out into/onto something Fans emptied out onto the streets after the concert.
empty
verbNAmE//ˈɛmpti//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they empty he / she / it empties
past simple emptied
-ing form emptying
Check pronunciation: empty