dugout

noun

dug·​out ˈdəg-ˌau̇t 

1

: a boat made by hollowing out a large log

2

a

: a shelter dug in a hillside

also : a shelter dug in the ground and roofed with sod

b

: an area in the side of a trench for quarters, storage, or protection

3

: either of two low shelters on either side of and facing a baseball diamond that contain the players' benches

Examples of dugout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carroll then scored on an errant throw to third from Kyle Tucker that went into the Dodgers’ dugout. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

And there’s little doubt that Blue Jays manager John Schneider would like to have kept him in the dugout. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Counsell replied before the game in the sweltering Cubs dugout. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

When the Yankees took a 5-1 lead and knocked Rasmussen out of the game, Judge triumphantly signaled to the Rays’ bullen from Tropicana Field’s visiting dugout. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dugout

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

Kids Definition

dugout

noun

dug·​out ˈdəg-ˌau̇t 

1

: a boat made by hollowing out a log

2

: a shelter dug in a hillside or in the ground

3

: a low shelter facing a baseball diamond and containing the players' bench