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

Fast running also works your anaerobic system, which is what fuels your body during intense bouts of exercise. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026

In the second bout of the day, Hyper Misao rode into the arena on a bike wearing green tights, a cape and an eye mask. —Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026

The Longhorns snatched a narrow 68-66 win over NC State during the tournament’s First Four bout, salvaging their postseason run thanks to sixth-year senior Tramon Mark’s last-second shot. —Mia Fishman, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026

Shah, along with a clinical psychologist and a leadership coach, explain how to banish daily bouts of tiredness and boost energy levels in both body and mind. —Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 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