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

Fury is doing his own tune-up work, with his bout against Mariusz Wach landing the night before this card. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

In which case, extra moisture and potentially even another bout of rain could keep temps from their worst potential. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

The new levy, in turn, risks elevated costs for some household goods as shoppers weather a bout of resurgent inflation set off by the Iran war. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 23 July 2026

But the 10-round bout will not be broadcast live on TV anywhere in the world. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 23 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