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

• competition
• contest
• event
• game
• match
• matchup
• meet
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tournament
• tourney

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 shelter push comes at a critical time in Central Florida’s bout with homelessness. —Michael Cuglietta, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025

Three weeks have now passed since Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened. —Landon Mion, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025

Additionally, Brandon McCarthy (4-0, 1 KO), originally from Kilkenny, Ireland, and now based in Los Angeles, will take on Jose Rodriguez (7-2, 3 KOs) from South Gate, California, in a six-round lightweight bout. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025

In Saturday’s bout, Lilleberg tried to wrestle Kastelic to the ice again but was unable to and Kastelic landed a handful of good shots before the linesmen ended it. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2025

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