dugout

noun

dug·​out ˈdəg-ˌau̇t 

1

: a boat made by hollowing out a large log

2

a

: a shelter dug in a hillside

also : a shelter dug in the ground and roofed with sod

b

: an area in the side of a trench for quarters, storage, or protection

3

: either of two low shelters on either side of and facing a baseball diamond that contain the players' benches

Examples of dugout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While in the dugout, the heated veteran pitcher took a spill down the steps to the clubhouse. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Though the manager has a contract until June 30, 2026, he is being linked to the vacant Brazil national team head coach role while there are also rumors that Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso will replace him in the Bernabeu dugout. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Like other Phillies starters, Luzardo bides his time between innings in a hallway underneath the dugout at Citizens Bank Park. —Matt Gelb, New York Times, 3 May 2025

Freeman was one of several teammates who had an elated reaction to Muncy’s home run, pumping both fists above his head from the dugout. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dugout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

dugout

noun

dug·​out ˈdəg-ˌau̇t 

1

: a boat made by hollowing out a log

2

: a shelter dug in a hillside or in the ground

3

: a low shelter facing a baseball diamond and containing the players' bench