1
: a battle fought with handguns or rifles
2
: something resembling a shoot-out
broadly : showdown
3
: a shooting competition in overtime that is used to determine the winner of a game (as in soccer or hockey) tied at the end of regular play

Examples of shoot-out in a Sentence

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.
Charlotte’s ninth straight win equals Seattle’s record for MLS games in the post-shoot-out era and leaves Smith’s side on the brink of a place in the playoffs. The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025 Three people, including two Phoenix officers, were hurt in a shoot-out in the early afternoon of Sept. 2 near the intersection of 17th Avenue and Tonto Street, according to police officials. Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The finale-episode shoot-out felt like an act of throwing up one’s hands and admitting defeat at the hands of a runaway plot. Joe Reid, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2025 The shoot-out was incredibly tense, but the home side won by four goals to three when the final Nacional kick-taker Marino Hinestroza failed to convert. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shoot-out

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoot-out was in 1948

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Cite this Entry

“Shoot-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoot-out. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

shoot-out

noun
ˈshüt-ˌau̇t
: a battle fought with handguns or rifles
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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