wipeout

1 of 2

noun

wipe·​out ˈwīp-ˌau̇t How to pronounce wipeout (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of wiping out : complete or utter destruction
2
: a fall or crash caused usually by losing control
3
: a total or decisive defeat : drubbing

wipe out

2 of 2

verb

wiped out; wiping out; wipes out

transitive verb

: to destroy completely : annihilate

intransitive verb

: to fall or crash usually as a result of losing control

Examples of wipeout in a Sentence

Noun The surfer had a nasty wipeout. Verb he didn't get his gambling under control until he had already wiped out his entire life savings
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
But don’t feel too sorry for Arnault: Despite the latest wipeout, the 75-year-old still has $182 billion to his name, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 16 Oct. 2024 Advertisement World & Nation Britain goes to the polls, and a wipeout is in the works. Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
Verb
That plan, established under a different legal authority, would have wiped out up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for qualifying borrowers. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 The plague ultimately wiped out about half of the city’s population and devastated its art scene. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wipeout 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of wipeout was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near wipeout

wipe out

wipeout

wiper

Cite this Entry

“Wipeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wipeout. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

wipeout

1 of 2 noun
wipe·​out ˈwīp-ˌau̇t How to pronounce wipeout (audio)
1
: complete destruction
2
: a fall or crash caused usually by losing control
wipeouts on the downhill ski course are common
3
: total or final defeat
couldn't bear to watch the team's wipeout

wipe out

2 of 2 verb
1
: to destroy completely
crops wiped out by flooding
2
: to fall or crash usually as a result of losing control
the surfer wiped out
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!