dropout

noun drop·out \ ˈdräp-ˌau̇t \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Examples: dropout in a Sentence

Definition of dropout

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

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Examples of dropout in a Sentence

The program is designed for dropouts who wish to get high school equivalency certificates.

Recent Examples of dropout from the Web

Camden schools were long ranked among the state’s lowest performing, but over the past six years the dropout rate has fallen and graduations are up, according to the school district.

— kate king, WSJ, "The Power Broker Behind Camden, N.J.’s Upswing," 9 July 2018
Get our daily newsletter The highest dropout rates are in sub-Saharan Africa, north Africa and the Middle East.

— The Economist, "Universal lessons," 5 July 2018
The dropout rate is around 18 percent, and just three in 10 students graduate in four years, about half in six years.

— annysa johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Howard Fuller emerges as central figure in battle over the future of MPS North Division High School," 5 July 2018
Under Maxwell the system has decreased its dropout rate and improved by other measures, leading Baker to praise him as the best superintendent the county has had in 40 years.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Ben Jealous attacks Rushern Baker over Prince George's County school system pay raises," 22 June 2018
Google ‘inner city teenagers’ and see what comes up: violence, fighting, crime, high school dropout rates.

— Philly.com, "These Philly school kids made it through the year without fighting. Their reward was more than just money.," 8 June 2018
The scholarships were presented by J. Michael Durnil, president/CEO of the Simon Youth Foundation, who came up with the idea of an academy for dropouts.

— karen zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "Dropouts earn diplomas in Katy ISD," 31 May 2018
That is $573 more than for those with only a high-school diploma and more than double the earnings for high-school dropouts.

— eric morath, WSJ, "Facing Historic Labor Shortages, Companies Snap Up Teenagers," 16 Apr. 2018
The Indiana State Legislature spends $35 million annually funding adult education for dropouts, with much of that money going to the Goodwill Excel Center.

— alina tugend, New York Times, "Goodwill Working to Help Dropouts," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dropout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of dropout

1930

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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drop out

verb \ ˌdräp-ˈau̇t \

Definition of drop out

intransitive verb

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

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First Known Use of drop out

1875

in the meaning defined above

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DROPOUT Defined for English Language Learners

dropout

noun

Definition of dropout for English Language Learners

: a person who stops going to a school, college, etc., before finishing : a person who drops out of school
: a person who stops being involved in society because he or she does not believe in its rules, customs, and values

DROPOUT Defined for Kids

dropout

noun drop·out \ ˈdräp-ˌau̇t \

Definition of dropout for Students

: a person who quits school or a training program

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