shakeout

1 of 2

noun

shake·​out ˈshāk-ˌau̇t 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• come out
• fall out
• pan out
• prove
• turn 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

Noun

This was followed by a management shakeout in the U.S. and Europe, and a profit warning at the end of last month. —Neil Winton, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Clearly, there are some steps left to go in legacy media’s shakeout during the months ahead, following an eventful summer. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024

Verb

See how all the races are shaking out locally here: Election results for Ohio. —Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024

As to how the balance will shake out with fewer days between the two national holidays combined with earlier discounting, Advantice’s McMullen believes there will be less of a lull between the Black Friday event and Christmas. —Kiri Masters, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1982, in the meaning defined above