burnout

noun burn·out \ ˈbərn-ˌau̇t \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: burnout in a Sentence

Definition of burnout

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

See burnout defined for English-language learners

See burnout defined for kids

Examples of burnout in a Sentence

Teaching can be very stressful, and many teachers eventually suffer burnout.
the burnout rate among teachers
a novel about academic burnouts

Recent Examples of burnout from the Web

The research report determined that onerous on-call requirements was one reason for the burnout problem among the specialists studied.

— bonnie l. cook, Philly.com, "Edgar Jackson Kenton III, 78, renowned neurologist," 11 May 2018
Nurses employed at Magnet workplaces experience higher job satisfaction and lower burnout rates, according to the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

— brittany nader, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Clinic Akron General receives Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence," 1 May 2018
The result can be burnout, injury or not keeping heart rates low enough to build mitochondria.

— amanda loudin, chicagotribune.com, "Some people do better exercising at a low-intensity pace," 30 Apr. 2018
The result can be burnout, injury or not keeping heart rates low enough to build mitochondria.

— amanda loudin, ajc, "Some people do better exercising at a low-intensity pace," 29 Apr. 2018
There’s an indoor car show, a burnout competition, the Goodguys autocross, the Nitro Thunderfest Dragster exhibition, a special indoor low-rider display, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts for kids, food and more.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top weekend events: Branford Marsalis, California Ballet Company 'The Great Gatsby,' Julian Gold Rush Days," 6 Apr. 2018
The headlight on Sandler's motorcycle was not working at the time of the accident; a mechanical malfunction or burnout is suspected.

— Indianapolis Star, "Officers killed in the line of duty," 6 July 2014
In our survey, physicians who agreed that their organization values teamwork were half as likely to exhibit signs of burnout.

— jonathan bush, STAT, "Giving doctors the ‘capability’ they need to care for patients can fight burnout," 8 May 2018
Around 50 percent of medical health care providers express burnout.

— rebecca hazen, Houston Chronicle, "The Jung Center opens The Mind, Body, Spirit Institute," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'burnout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of burnout

1940

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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burnout Synonyms

burn out

verb

Definition of burn 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

See burn out defined for kids

Examples of burn out in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of burn out from the Web

In New York City, the thing flamed brightly and then burned out.

— refinery29.com, "The Birth, Death & Inevitable Comeback Of The Cosmo, SATC's Greatest Icon," 6 June 2018
The Legal Medical Institute said Saturday that Sixto Henry Vera was found beside two burned out vehicles with a bullet wound to the head.

— CBS News, "U.S. citizen killed in Nicaragua amid violence and social unrest," 2 June 2018
Round Lake Park will use its grant for replacing a lift station that was overwhelmed and then burned out during the floods last year.

— frank abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "Lake County waterway dredging, flood mitigation efforts get boost from General Assembly," 1 June 2018
Most previous instances of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been in remote towns where the disease burns out fast.

— The Economist, "The Ebola outbreak in Congo can probably be contained," 24 May 2018
Some social media stars attempt to pivot into mainstream Hollywood, others use their fame to launch side business ventures, and still more crash and burn out.

— taylor lorenz, The Atlantic, "The Lil Tay Saga Reaches Its Logical Conclusion," 24 May 2018
And while there may be a few more burned out light bulbs and cobwebs each time, the food continues to impress.

— steven stolman, Town & Country, "My Lifelong Love of Julia Child Led Me to Her Favorite Restaurant, Chez Georges In Paris," 23 May 2018
White scaffolding covers the burned out shell of the Grenfell Tower in West London on the day that hearings began into the fire.

— joanna sugden, WSJ, "Emotional Tributes Open First Phase of Inquiry Into London’s Grenfell Fire," 21 May 2018
News media analyst Andrew Tyndall takes a look at the future prospects of the White House alums who burned bright — and burnt out — since Trump took office.

— andrew tyndall, The Hollywood Reporter, "Which Former Trump Aides Will Become Media Stars?," 17 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'burn out.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of burn out

1710

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

burn out Synonyms

Synonyms

break, bust, do in, do up, drain, exhaust, fatigue, frazzle, harass, kill, knock out, outwear, tire, tucker (out), wash out, wear, wear out, weary;

Near Antonyms

activate, energize, invigorate, rejuvenate, strengthen, vitalize;

relax, rest, unwind;

Phrases

wear to a frazzle;

BURNOUT Defined for English Language Learners

burnout

noun

Definition of burnout for English Language Learners

: the condition of someone who has become very physically and emotionally tired after doing a difficult job for a long time
: a person who suffers burnout
: the time when a jet or rocket engine stops working because there is no more fuel available