closeout

1 of 2

noun

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

close out

2 of 2

verb

ˈklōz- 

closed out; closing out; closes out

transitive verb

1

a

: exclude

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

Synonyms of closeout

Verb

• end
• finish
• conclude
• wind up
• close

Examples of closeout in a Sentence

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

Defense was a driving force in the closeout. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026

While the crew were not at the pad for the test, NASA did send out the support closeout team, who would seal them into the Orion spacecraft atop the rocket on launch day, to run through their workflow again. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026

Verb

Evan Makkai and Kaden Tisdall, in particular, lit it up through that 5-minute, 22-second stretch to close out the half, scoring 8 and 6 points, respectively. —Alissa Noe, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026

In a pretty even first quarter, Hopedale (18-7) closed out the final four minutes without allowing a field goal and went on a 5-0 run in the process to go up 11-9. —Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for closeout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

closeout

noun

close·​out ˈklōz-ˌau̇t 

: a sale of leftover merchandise