closeout

1 of 2

noun

close·​out ˈklōz-ˌau̇t How to pronounce closeout (audio)
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

close out

2 of 2

verb

closed out; closing out; closes out

transitive verb

1
a
b
: preclude
close out his chances
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

intransitive verb

1
: to sell out a business
2
: to buy or sell securities or commodities in order to terminate an account

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
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.

Kids Definition

closeout

noun
close·​out ˈklōz-ˌau̇t How to pronounce closeout (audio)
: a sale of leftover merchandise
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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