An outpouring is a sudden or powerful flow of something, usually emotions or expressions of feeling. When a beloved teacher retires, there might be an outpouring of gratitude from students and parents: cards, letters, speeches, and gifts all flowing in at once. When a community faces tragedy, you often see an outpouring of support, with neighbors bringing food, offering help, and showing they care.

The word captures both the quantity and intensity of what's being expressed. A few kind words are nice, but an outpouring means the feelings are so strong they can't be held back, like water rushing through a broken dam. You might see an outpouring of joy when a team wins a championship, an outpouring of relief when someone is found safe, or an outpouring of creativity when an artist finally has time to work on their projects.

The word can also describe literal flowing, like an outpouring of water from a spring, but it's most commonly used for emotions, messages, or support. What makes something an outpouring is that spontaneous, unstoppable quality, when feelings are so powerful they simply have to be expressed.