shakeout

1 of 2

noun

shake·​out ˈshāk-ˌau̇t How to pronounce shakeout (audio)
1
: the failure or retrenchment of a significant number of firms in the economy or a sector or an industry that usually results in a depressed market
2
: a period or process in which the relatively weak or unessential are eliminated

shake out

2 of 2

verb

shook out; shaken out; shaking out; shakes out

intransitive verb

: to prove to be in the end : turn out
wait to see how things shake out

Examples of shakeout in a Sentence

Verb after hearing about all the elaborate planning, I can't wait to see how that wedding shakes out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And many trips to the Eagle Gold mine in Julian, Calif. (still a 3-hour drive from us) for testing and shakeout. IEEE Spectrum, 14 Aug. 2019 The post-Hollywood strikes shakeout seems to be stabilizing. Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
That shakes out to more than $1,000 per enrollment. Sally Pipes, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 The eagle awoke and shook out its feathers, fluffing the straw surrounding the trio of eggs as the camera zoomed in. Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shakeout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shakeout was in 1895

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Shakeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shakeout. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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