bout

noun

ˈbau̇t 

: a spell or period of activity: such as

a

: an athletic match (as of boxing)

lost his bout with the champion

b

: outbreak, attack

a bout of pneumonia

frequent bouts of depression

survived her bout with cancer

c

: session

a drinking bout

a bout of unemployment

Synonyms of bout

• tournament
• competition
• event
• game
• match
• contest

Examples of bout in a Sentence

undoubtedly the team's best wrestler, he hasn't lost a bout yet

she's currently suffering from a bout of the flu

Recent Examples on the Web

The May 16 bout, which headlines Netflix’s first live women’s MMA event, marks Carano’s first professional appearance since 2009. —Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

This summer the tournament returns to North America, and Guadalajara will add to its considerable football lore when this stadium hosts four more World Cup matches, including a heavyweight bout between Spain and its onetime colony Uruguay. —Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026

In a Catholic Conference bout, Katie Maheu (four goals, assist) and Maddy Lubov (hat trick, two assists) finished with five points apiece as Ursuline cruised to a 14-4 win over Malden Catholic. —Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026

Research consistently shows that even short bouts of physical activity can improve mood, boost energy and enhance cognitive performance. —Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

English dialect, a trip going and returning in plowing, from Middle English bought bend

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bout

• clout
• doubt
• drought
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout
• scout

Kids Definition

bout

noun

ˈbau̇t 

1

: a spell of activity

nonstop bout of reading

2

: an athletic match

wrestling bout

3

: attack entry 2 sense 3

a bout of measles