shoot-out

noun

ˈshüt-ˌau̇t 

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

Martin picks up where Max left off, his search leading him through the back lanes of Sydney, the homes of the rich and powerful, and headlong into a bloody shoot-out in the depths of the Blue Mountains. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 July 2026

Before the 2026 tournament, of the previous eight players who’d been brought on to take a penalty in a shoot-out, seven missed – with the only exception, Paolo Dybala in the 2022 final for Argentina. — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Egypt keeper Mostafa Shoubir denied Messi a penalty kick goal in the 21st minute, making Messi the first player to miss two penalties in the same tournament (excluding shoot-outs). — Sean Gregory, Time, 7 July 2026

Declan Rice, speaking to reporters at England’s Kansas City training camp on Monday, could not have been more positive about England’s chances in a shoot-out. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shoot-out

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

Kids Definition

shoot-out

noun

ˈshüt-ˌau̇t

: a battle fought with handguns or rifles