close·out
ˈklōz-ˌau̇t 
1
: a clearing out by a sale usually at reduced prices of the whole remaining stock (as of a business)
2
: an article offered or bought at a closeout
closed out; closing out; closes out
2
a
: to dispose of a whole stock of by sale
b
: to dispose of (a business)
c
: sell
closed out his share of the business
d
: to put (an account) in order for disposal or transfer
3
a
: to bring to an often rapid or abrupt conclusion
close out a career
b
: to discontinue operation of
1
: to sell out a business
2
: to buy or sell securities or commodities in order to terminate an account
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
a store that sells closeouts
Verb
the team closed out the season with major losses
don't assume an attitude that closes out any possibility of a compromise
Recent Examples on the Web
Tanner Mcgrath, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2023
Then, the highlight of the game came with just more than three minutes remaining in the third when Green exploded baseline on a late closeout from Cunningham, propelling to the rim for the dunk, and then yelled in Cunningham's face, incurring a technical foul.
—Rahat Huq, Chron, 11 Nov. 2021
Everyone had a hand in this, from Jarred Vanderbilt’s defense on Ja Morant, to James and Davis dominating in the closeout to Dennis Schroder’s defensive havoc.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2023
The closeout is everything.
—Jennifer Lee, Forbes, 8 June 2022
But that figure includes an ambitious closeout of a lot of this year’s costly and overzealous buying spree.
—Laura Forman, WSJ, 9 Dec. 2021
Murray noted after the game that Odukale was scouted as more of a driver than a shooter, and perhaps the closeout was too much.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2023
It was tied for the most points all-time in an NBA Finals closeout game (matching Bob Pettit in 1958) and remains the franchise record for playoff points in a game.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2023
Kevon Looney, who grabbed 22 rebounds in the closeout game, could be switched onto Doncic a lot out of the pick-and-roll, just like he was put on James Harden often during the Warriors’ many playoff battles against the Houston Rockets.
—Eric He, Dallas News, 18 May 2022
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2023
The Suns play the Lakers (41-39) in the second of a back-to-back Friday in Los Angeles and close out the regular season Sunday against the Clippers at Footprint Center.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2023
Together are Saturday, and Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lana Del Ray close out the festival Sunday.
—Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2023
Key Takeaways Silicon Valley Bank Gets A Savior Banking Crisis Ripple Effects Being Felt S&P 500 Aiming For A Close Over 4,000 Stocks closed out last week with solid gains.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
The Wildcats received a 22-point effort from Azuolas Tubelis and got a double-double from Oumar Ballo (13 points, 12 rebounds) but could not close out the first-round matchup.
—Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Buffen kick-started a 17-8 run, allowing UAB to take a 26-22 lead with 6:04 remaining, but the Golden Eagles closed out on a 12-4 run in the final four minutes to trim the UAB advantage to 41-38 after the first half.
—Evan Dudley, al, 14 Mar. 2023
Dejounte Murray made two free throws for Atlanta with 12.7 seconds left, and the Hawks closed out the game from there.
—Noah Trister, ajc, 11 Mar. 2023
Oklahoma City won the ensuing jump ball and closed out the game at the free throw line, wasting a season-high 10 3-pointers from Curry and his fifth 40-point game of the year.
—C.j. Holmes, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2023
See More
Noun
The Aztecs are elite defensively on the perimeter and at the rim, using Nathan Mensah’s drop defense to protect the latter and relentless ball pressure and highhanded closeouts to protect the former.
—Tanner Mcgrath, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2023
Then, the highlight of the game came with just more than three minutes remaining in the third when Green exploded baseline on a late closeout from Cunningham, propelling to the rim for the dunk, and then yelled in Cunningham's face, incurring a technical foul.
—Rahat Huq, Chron, 11 Nov. 2021
Everyone had a hand in this, from Jarred Vanderbilt’s defense on Ja Morant, to James and Davis dominating in the closeout to Dennis Schroder’s defensive havoc.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2023
The closeout is everything.
—Jennifer Lee, Forbes, 8 June 2022
But that figure includes an ambitious closeout of a lot of this year’s costly and overzealous buying spree.
—Laura Forman, WSJ, 9 Dec. 2021
Murray noted after the game that Odukale was scouted as more of a driver than a shooter, and perhaps the closeout was too much.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2023
It was tied for the most points all-time in an NBA Finals closeout game (matching Bob Pettit in 1958) and remains the franchise record for playoff points in a game.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2023
Kevon Looney, who grabbed 22 rebounds in the closeout game, could be switched onto Doncic a lot out of the pick-and-roll, just like he was put on James Harden often during the Warriors’ many playoff battles against the Houston Rockets.
—Eric He, Dallas News, 18 May 2022
Verb
The Lakers continued a fine second-half defensive effort in the extra period — Minnesota had gone nearly eight minutes in the fourth quarter without a basket — and strongly closed out the game with gasps and hugs, but the numbers weren’t so cozy.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2023
The Suns play the Lakers (41-39) in the second of a back-to-back Friday in Los Angeles and close out the regular season Sunday against the Clippers at Footprint Center.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2023
Together are Saturday, and Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lana Del Ray close out the festival Sunday.
—Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2023
Key Takeaways Silicon Valley Bank Gets A Savior Banking Crisis Ripple Effects Being Felt S&P 500 Aiming For A Close Over 4,000 Stocks closed out last week with solid gains.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
The Wildcats received a 22-point effort from Azuolas Tubelis and got a double-double from Oumar Ballo (13 points, 12 rebounds) but could not close out the first-round matchup.
—Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Buffen kick-started a 17-8 run, allowing UAB to take a 26-22 lead with 6:04 remaining, but the Golden Eagles closed out on a 12-4 run in the final four minutes to trim the UAB advantage to 41-38 after the first half.
—Evan Dudley, al, 14 Mar. 2023
Dejounte Murray made two free throws for Atlanta with 12.7 seconds left, and the Hawks closed out the game from there.
—Noah Trister, ajc, 11 Mar. 2023
Oklahoma City won the ensuing jump ball and closed out the game at the free throw line, wasting a season-high 10 3-pointers from Curry and his fifth 40-point game of the year.
—C.j. Holmes, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'closeout.' 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
1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of closeout was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near closeout
Cite this Entry
“Closeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closeout. Accessed 29 May. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
closeout
noun
close·out
ˈklōz-ˌau̇t
: a sale of leftover merchandise
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