burnout

1 of 2

noun

burn·​out ˈbərn-ˌau̇t 

1

: the cessation of operation usually of a jet or rocket engine

also : the point at which burnout occurs

2

a

: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration

b

: a person suffering from burnout

3

: a person showing the effects of drug abuse

burn out

2 of 2

verb

burned out or burnt out; burning out; burns out

transitive verb

1

: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire

2

: to cause to fail, wear out, or become exhausted especially from overwork or overuse

intransitive verb

: to suffer burnout

Synonyms of burnout

Noun

• exhaustion
• fatigue

Verb

• wear
• kill
• exhaust
• tire
• drain
• wear out
• wash out

Examples of burnout in a Sentence

Noun

Teaching can be very stressful, and many teachers eventually suffer burnout.

the burnout rate among teachers

a novel about academic burnouts

Verb

working 12-hour days at that job just burned me out

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The author developed this approach after experiencing burnout and a car accident, realizing that even purposeful effort can be excessive, necessitating a deliberate method to remove unnecessary elements from one's life and work. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Beyond the fighting, Bouchard said authorities noticed a slight increase in drivers performing burnouts and speeding along the heavily congested Woodward Avenue corridor. — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

That work was motivated by the errors that led to burn out in my twenties, specifically chasing impact at the expense of everything else. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

That Febreze bottle is empty and the scented candle burned out — the current Giants’ stink punches you right in the nose, mouth and eyes. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for burnout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout
• dugout

Kids Definition

burnout

1 of 2 noun

burn·​out ˈbər-ˌnau̇t 

1

: the ending of operation of a jet or rocket engine as a result of the using up or shutting off of fuel

2

: the point in a flight at which burnout occurs

3

: exhaustion of one's bodily or mental strength

burn out

2 of 2 verb

1

: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire

2

: to cause to wear out or become exhausted

Medical Definition

burnout

noun

burn·​out ˈbərn-ˌau̇t 

1

a

: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration

b

: a person affected with burnout

2

: a person showing the effects of drug abuse