The Clue
Frequent source of Washington news (4 letter answer)
The Answer
LEAK
Tags
Notes
The answer LEAK is seen frequently, appearing about once every 160 puzzles.
Related Clues
Disclose
Ooze
Seepage
Aquarist's annoyance
Betrayal of sorts
Boating problem
Boatman's headache
Deep throat
Escape hole
Inform surreptitiously
Job for a plumber
Need a caulking
Patch's place
Pipe problem
Plumber's concern
Plumbing problem
Publicist's headache
Puddle cause
Roof problem
Secrecy problem
Security breach
Security concern
Security trouble
Skipper's headache
Spill the beans
Titanic problem
Unauthorized disclosure
D.C. security breach
Drip from a pipe, e.g.
Escape route of a kind
Let out surreptitiously
Little hole, maybe
News source, sometimes
News source of sorts
News source, at times
Possible tire trouble
Problem in D.C. or at sea
Tip for a reporter, maybe
Unexpected info source
Unofficial news source
Washington story, maybe
White House worry
Washington news source, maybe
Definition
LEAK as a noun:
1. an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape; "one of the tires developed a leak"
2. soft watery rot in fruits and vegetables caused by fungi
3. (leak, wetting, making water, passing water) = a euphemism for urination; "he had to take a leak"
4. (escape, leak, leakage, outflow) = the unwanted discharge of a fluid from some container; "they tried to stop the escape of gas from the damaged pipe"; "he had to clean up the leak"
5. (leak, news leak) = unauthorized (especially deliberate) disclosure of confidential information
LEAK as a verb:
1. tell anonymously; "The news were leaked to the paper"
2. (leak, leak out) = be leaked; "The news leaked out despite his secrecy"
3. enter or escape as through a hole or crack or fissure; "Water leaked out of the can into the backpack"; "Gas leaked into the basement"
4. have an opening that allows light or substances to enter or go out; "The container leaked gasoline"; "the roof leaks badly"