burnout

1 of 2

noun

burn·​out ˈbərn-ˌau̇t How to pronounce burnout (audio)
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

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
Whether an employee is dealing with burnout, family issues, health concerns, or external stresses, a leader's empathy can make a significant difference. Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 Also, mindfulness exercises, like meditation and breathing work, can effectively reduce the impact of stress from holiday shopping and help decrease burnout or fatigue. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Nov. 2023 The burnout isn’t just at the studio level: Visual effects (VFX) artists who work on Marvel productions say they are drained by the long hours to meet difficult deadlines. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 The pressure on in-store pharmacists and technicians has led to a series of walkouts this fall by CVS and Walgreens employees who say tight staffing has caused burnout and threatened patients' safety. Arthur Allen, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2023 Since the pandemic laid bare the nation’s worsening childcare crisis, Clinton says that addressing caregiver burnout and parental anxiety is ingrained in their model and that telehealth can be a hallmark solution. Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 13 Nov. 2023 Prioritizing tasks, setting boundaries and learning to delegate effectively can help optimize productivity and prevent burnout. Dr. Rick Ruperto, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Eliminate Productivity Quotas Harvesting a huge amount of nectar per hour can cause mass burnout. Sólveig Eva Magnúsdóttir, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2023 Those who felt supported by their management reported feeling less burnout, per the agency. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023
Verb
Many essential employees became burned out, quit, or demanded better pay and a better quality of life. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023 Countless chefs have come and gone; residencies have started and ended; a billion light bulbs have burned out and been replaced. Brett Martin, Bon Appétit, 8 Nov. 2023 Trending News TikTok ending $1 billion Creator Fund Some bank customers still can't get their paychecks after deposit glitch Multiple brands of dog food recalled as FDA warns of salmonella risks Tyson recalls nearly 30,000 pounds of dino chicken nuggets Are Americans burned out on dating apps? Alain Sherter, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2023 Gallup surveyed over 18,000 workers and found that 33% of women are almost always burned out, right now. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2023 You can get burned out on a computer screen pretty quickly. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 12 Oct. 2023 Many of the workers who remain feel burned out and are struggling to handle a higher volume of patients. Emily Baumgaertner, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023 Cars were flattened and trees burned out in moonscapes that had been residential streets. TIME, 10 Oct. 2023 That being said, the ups and downs may leave you feeling burnt out, so try to check in with yourself throughout the day. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'burnout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of burnout was in 1710

Dictionary Entries Near burnout

Cite this Entry

“Burnout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burnout. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

burnout

1 of 2 noun
burn·​out ˈbər-ˌnau̇t How to pronounce burnout (audio)
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 How to pronounce burnout (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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