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

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

Adolescents whose career or education decisions are steered by their parents often experience school burnout, increased anxiety, and depressive symptoms. —Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

He's applied the logic to his own career — focusing on building and monetizing his podcast, for example, while recovering from investing burnout. —Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 25 June 2025

Verb

Meetings become performative, projects lose momentum, and eventually, top performers burn out or disengage. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Don’t burn out chasing every flicker of inspiration. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025

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