Define: Egress

Egress refers to the action or right of exiting or leaving a place, particularly a building or enclosed area. It is commonly used in the context of safety regulations and building codes to ensure that occupants have clear and unobstructed pathways to exit a building in case of emergency. Egress routes typically include doors, stairwells, corridors, and other designated exit points that allow individuals to evacuate safely. Ensuring proper egress is essential for maintaining public safety and minimizing the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of fires, natural disasters, or other emergencies. Building designs and construction practices must adhere to egress requirements established by local building codes and safety standards to provide adequate means of egress for occupants.

An exit, or the act of exiting. The most famous use of this word was by P.T. Barnum, who put up a large sign in his circus tent saying “This Way to the Egress.” Thinking an egress was some type of exotic bird, people eagerly went though the passage and found themselves outside the circus tent. Compare ingress.

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.