Inlet, n.
1. A passage by which an inclosed place may be entered; a place of ingress; entrance. Doors and windows,inlets of men and of light. Sir H. Wotton.
2. A bay or recess,as in the shore of a sea, lake, or large river; a narrow strip of water running into the land or between islands.
3. That which is let in or inland; an inserted material.
Note: Inlet is also usewd adjectively,as in inlet pipe, inlet valve, etc.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for inlet; he lists it under entrance.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.