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

The only thing that’s not great is how far the clubhouse is from the dugout. —Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025

The Padres’ intense new pitcher stalked around the mound and the infield grass and to and from the dugout. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025

As Giménez began discussing the potential hit by pitch with Little, Schneider emerged from the dugout to join the conversation that Apple TV+ microphones picked up. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Before shaking hands with teammates in the dugout, Chisholm pointed at Boone and performed the same step routine his manager did an inning before. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 Mar. 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