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

With a mile to go, two traditional dugout canoes led them to the Klamath’s mouth in California, on the Pacific. —The Editors, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025

Despite all the love, in the dugout, Bonds seems less than ecstatic. —Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

Some died on the pitcher's mound and others in a dugout, according to photos provided by a Pierce Township spokesman. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Dec. 2025

Lund keeps the action tethered to the site, ranging no farther than the dugouts, the woods beyond the outfield, and the nearest street. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025

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