buyout

1 of 2

noun

buy·​out ˈbī-ˌau̇t How to pronounce buyout (audio)
1
: an act or instance of buying out
2
: a financial incentive offered to an employee in exchange for an early retirement or voluntary resignation

buy out

2 of 2

verb

bought out; buying out; buys out

transitive verb

1
: to purchase the share or interest of
2
: to purchase the entire stock-in-trade and the goodwill of (a business)

Examples of buyout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In just a few days, beginning July 1, the state of Maryland will institute a state hiring freeze (of sorts) and offer voluntary employee buyouts to employees nearing retirement or otherwise eligible to accept the state government buyout offer. Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 At least 3,000 employees have already accepted buyout agreements. Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Verb
Trail Blazers buying out Deandre Ayton On the eve of free agency, as midnight neared, news broke from ESPN’s Shams Charania that Portland is finalizing a contract buyout with Deandre Ayton. Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Collum's contract was bought out for about $461,500, to be paid between Sunday night and sometime in January 2026. Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for buyout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buyout was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buyout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buyout. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

buyout

1 of 2 noun
buy·​out ˈbī-ˌau̇t How to pronounce buyout (audio)
: an act or instance of buying out

buy out

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to purchase the share or interest of
2
: to purchase the entire tangible and intangible assets of (a business)

More from Merriam-Webster on buyout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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