bout

noun

ˈbau̇t 

: a spell or period of activity: such as

a

: an athletic match (as of boxing)

lost his bout with the champion

b

: outbreak, attack

a bout of pneumonia

frequent bouts of depression

survived her bout with cancer

c

: session

a drinking bout

a bout of unemployment

Synonyms of bout

• tournament
• competition
• event
• game
• match
• contest

Examples of bout in a Sentence

undoubtedly the team's best wrestler, he hasn't lost a bout yet

she's currently suffering from a bout of the flu

Recent Examples on the Web

All 24 fighters across the 12-bout card successfully made weight, ensuring a full night of action. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Jones had read about Fejzo’s work on her phone, while lying on her bathroom floor during a bout of illness in her second pregnancy. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

The stunning development comes as fire crews continue working to contain destructive fires in the Spokane area and are preparing for another bout of strong winds and intense heat through the weekend. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Despite the uptick, officials say California is not included in the cyclosporiasis outbreak that’s hit 15 states, sickening tens of thousands of people with prolonged bouts of diarrhea. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

English dialect, a trip going and returning in plowing, from Middle English bought bend

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bout

• clout
• doubt
• drought
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout
• scout

Kids Definition

bout

noun

ˈbau̇t 

1

: a spell of activity

nonstop bout of reading

2

: an athletic match

wrestling bout

3

: attack entry 2 sense 3

a bout of measles