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

Following a bout of tears in the hotel restaurant, the couple returns to their room, at which point Dodi pulls out a jewelry box. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 1 July 2026

But in the latest bout of public uncertainty, a senior Iranian official suggested this may not be the case. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 29 June 2026

Those matches have already been announced for Wednesday's show, with additional bouts and segments expected to be added before Dynamite goes on the air. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Sarah Breeden, deputy governor of the Bank of England, said agentic AI could amplify volatility during bouts of market stress. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 3 July 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