shakeout

1 of 2

noun

shake·​out ˈshāk-ˌau̇t 

1

: the failure or retrenchment of a significant number of firms in the economy or a sector or an industry that usually results in a depressed market

2

: a period or process in which the relatively weak or unessential are eliminated

shake out

2 of 2

verb

shook out; shaken out; shaking out; shakes out

intransitive verb

: to prove to be in the end : turn out

wait to see how things shake out

Synonyms

Verb

• come out
• fall out
• pan out
• prove
• turn out

Examples of shakeout in a Sentence

Verb

after hearing about all the elaborate planning, I can't wait to see how that wedding shakes out

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Clearly, there are some steps left to go in legacy media’s shakeout during the months ahead, following an eventful summer. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024

Now, many say, all that expansion is setting the stage for a shakeout. —Robert Frank, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2024

Verb

Read the full analysis for a look at a range of scenarios that could shake out. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 19 July 2024

But then, with two outs in the fifth inning, Ryan misfired with a slider and immediately began shaking out his pitching arm. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1982, in the meaning defined above