: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the 133 cardinals who voted during the papal conclave became more known to the public in recent days, enjoying a brief bout of internet fame, some close watchers began to notice that one looked shockingly similar to a television mafioso. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 May 2025 Alternatives for Constipation Many people experience an occasional bout of constipation from time to time. Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025 The season 8 alum drove Ginger to the hospital after a bout with internal bleeding. Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 7 May 2025 She was unveiled as Lyra Valkyria's surprise partner for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship bout against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bout

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bout was in 1575

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bout. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

bout

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on bout

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