shutout

1 of 2

noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t 

1

: a game or contest in which one side fails to score

2

: a preemptive bid in bridge

shut out

2 of 2

verb

shut out; shutting out; shuts out

transitive verb

1

: exclude

2

: to prevent (an opponent) from scoring in a game or contest

3

: to forestall the bidding of (bridge opponents) by making a high or preemptive bid

Synonyms

Verb

• ban
• bar
• close out
• count (out)
• debar
• eliminate
• except
• exclude
• freeze out
• rule out

Examples of shutout in a Sentence

Noun

They beat us in a 9–0 shutout.

Verb

local residents feel that they have been shut out of the debate for expanding the airport

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Collin Lock had 14 strikeouts in the complete-game shutout. —Johnny Gorches, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025

Cypress 1, El Modena 0: Four pitchers combined for the shutout in a nine-inning game. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025

Verb

The Blue Jackets have been shut out three times in the last four games, and four times in the last seven. —Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025

Overall, Connecticut leads the way with 23 appearances, followed by California and Tennessee. Between the lines: 23 states have been shut out of the women's Final Four. —Analis Bailey, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shutout

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

Kids Definition

shutout

1 of 2 noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t 

: a game in which one side fails to score

shut out

2 of 2 verb

ˌshət-ˈau̇t

1

: to keep something out : exclude

2

: to keep an opponent from scoring in a game