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

The King of the Mountain match was one of the unique bouts in the company as competitors fight to hang a title belt on a hook suspended above the cage. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

In one of the most dramatic bouts of rapid intensification of a hurricane in the eastern Pacific Ocean on record, Hurricane Polo has exploded into a major Category 5 storm, with more strengthening expected through the day. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Ahead of the bout, Van defended his title in May against Tatsuro Taira, winning by technical knockout in the fifth round. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Next up, North Crowley will take on Crowley Friday in an all Crowley ISD bout. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Sep. 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