putout

1 of 2

noun

put·​out ˈpu̇t-ˌau̇t 

: the retiring of a base runner or batter by a defensive player in baseball

put out

2 of 2

verb

put out; putting out; puts out

transitive verb

1

: extinguish

put the fire out

2

: exert, use

put out considerable effort

3

: publish, issue

4

: to produce for sale

5

a

: disconcert, embarrass

b

: annoy, irritate

c

: inconvenience

don't put yourself out for us

6

: to cause to be out (as in baseball or cricket)

intransitive verb

1

: to set out from shore

2

: to make an effort

3

: to engage in sexual intercourse especially promiscuously

Synonyms

Verb

• apply
• exercise
• exert
• ply
• wield

Examples of putout in a Sentence

Noun

The shortstop fielded the grounder and threw to first base for the putout.

Verb

despite putting out her best effort, she was unable to beat her longtime tennis rival

put out the campfire before leaving

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

How many no-hitters in these last 113 seasons have ever been preserved by a 4-8 putout of any kind? —Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024

But also: In the entire Retrosheet play-by-play database, which is mostly complete back to 1912, there were only four other 4-8 putouts on any kind of pop-up or fly ball — one in 1943, two (in six weeks) in 1938 and one in 1918. —Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024

Verb

An acquaintance driving past saw the flames, grabbed a hose (Hurston was a famous gardener), and put out the fire. —Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

Most business owners waste their holidays checking emails and putting out fires. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

putout

1 of 2 noun

put·​out ˈpu̇t-ˌau̇t 

: the act of causing a base runner or batter to be out in baseball

put out

2 of 2 verb

ˌpu̇t-ˈau̇t,

ˈpu̇t-

1

: extinguish sense 1

put the fire out

2

: exert sense 1, use

put out all my strength to move the piano

3

: produce entry 1

4

: irritate sense 1, provoke

my father was put out by my failure

5

: to cause to be out (as in baseball)

6

: to set out from shore

Columbus put out for the New World