dropout

1 of 2

noun

drop·​out ˈdräp-ˌau̇t How to pronounce dropout (audio)
1
a
: one who drops out of school
b
: one who drops out of conventional society
c
: one who abandons an attempt, activity, or chosen path
a corporate dropout
2
: a momentary defect on a magnetic tape or disk caused by a temporary loss of signal

drop out

2 of 2

verb

dropped out; dropping out; drops out

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from participation or membership : quit
especially : to withdraw from conventional society

Examples of dropout in a Sentence

Noun The program is designed for dropouts who wish to get high school equivalency certificates.
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
While Meta is gaining a 49% stake in the startup, Zuckerberg’s real prize in the deal was hiring Wang, a dropout from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who started his company at age 19. Ari Levy, CNBC, 21 June 2025 This sudden change disrupted high-frequency radio signals, leading to communication dropouts for some radio operators across affected regions. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
Again and again, the Leafs have witnessed firsthand — from Spezza to Wayne Simmonds, Patrick Marleau, Mark Giordano, TJ Brodie and Joe Thornton, among others — how quickly the bottom can drop out on older players. Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Gonzales said dropping out as a senior felt like the end of the road. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dropout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dropout was in 1875

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Cite this Entry

“Dropout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dropout. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

dropout

1 of 2 noun
drop·​out ˈdräp-ˌau̇t How to pronounce dropout (audio)
: a person who drops out especially from a school or a training program

drop out

2 of 2 verb
: to withdraw from taking part or membership : quit
dropped out of school

More from Merriam-Webster on dropout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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