shutout

1 of 2

noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t 

1

: a game or contest in which one side fails to score

2

: a preemptive bid in bridge

shut out

2 of 2

verb

shut out; shutting out; shuts out

transitive verb

1

: exclude

2

: to prevent (an opponent) from scoring in a game or contest

3

: to forestall the bidding of (bridge opponents) by making a high or preemptive bid

Synonyms

Verb

• ban
• bar
• close out
• count (out)
• debar
• eliminate
• except
• exclude
• freeze out
• rule out

Examples of shutout in a Sentence

Noun

They beat us in a 9–0 shutout.

Verb

local residents feel that they have been shut out of the debate for expanding the airport

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There was Cade Townsend of Santa Margarita striking out 11 in a Division 1 shutout against Tesoro. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024

Lynch tossed five shutout innings against the Rangers. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shutout

1 of 2 noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t 

: a game in which one side fails to score

shut out

2 of 2 verb

ˌshət-ˈau̇t

1

: to keep something out : exclude

2

: to keep an opponent from scoring in a game