shutout

1 of 2

noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t How to pronounce shutout (audio)
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
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

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
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
Luis Mendoza threw five shutout innings and Tim Sepulveda had four RBIs for the Spartans. Garfield 9, South Gate 8: The Bulldogs won on a walk-off hit batter in the eighth inning. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025 Two of those shutouts have been at the hand of Bobrovsky, the former Blue Jackets star, who also had a 16-save shutout in a 3-0 Panthers win on March 6 in Sunrise, Fla. Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 21 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 See All Example Sentences for shutout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shutout was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shutout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutout. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

shutout

1 of 2 noun
shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t How to pronounce shutout (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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