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

Some Cardinals players were spotted in their dugout ahead of the game sporting crooked caps, and one player incorporated a slight hat-tilting motion into his post-hit celebration. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

The Dodgers should sit Raman in their dugout come playoff time, because her knack for rallying from behind is almost preternatural. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Before the arrival of Europeans, the Native tribes used these waters as highways for their dugout and birchbark canoes. — Robert Klose, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

This superstition often causes the fielding team to avoid saying the words no-hitter or perfect game and often leaves the pitcher isolated in the dugout. — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 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