cookout

noun

cook·​out ˈku̇k-ˌau̇t 

: an outing at which a meal is cooked and served in the open

also : the meal cooked

Examples of cookout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The family was in the middle of a cookout when Silvia arrived, and after an unsuccessful attempt to reconcile, authorities said Silvia retrieved the shotgun from his truck and shot the two women. — CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

In its early years, I was told, the rodeo was a casual affair sandwiched between baseball games and community cookouts. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

There may be fewer seafood cookouts and bonfires, but the weather is lovely and there’s still plenty to do. — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026

Anyone who loves hosting seasonal events, from game day watch parties to summer cookouts, will also appreciate that the back of the cookbook includes a variety of sample menus to try throughout the year. — Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cookout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

cookout

noun

cook·​out ˈku̇k-ˌau̇t 

: an outing at which a meal is cooked and served outdoors