dugout

noun

dug·​out ˈdəg-ˌau̇t 

1

: a boat made by hollowing out a large log

2

a

: a shelter dug in a hillside

also : a shelter dug in the ground and roofed with sod

b

: an area in the side of a trench for quarters, storage, or protection

3

: either of two low shelters on either side of and facing a baseball diamond that contain the players' benches

Examples of dugout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some died on the pitcher's mound and others in a dugout, according to photos provided by a Pierce Township spokesman. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Dec. 2025

Lund keeps the action tethered to the site, ranging no farther than the dugouts, the woods beyond the outfield, and the nearest street. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025

Now, Vitello will have another experienced voice in the dugout itself. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025

Also under Carr, FIU has spent $6-million in facility enhancements, including a new weight room, tennis courts, locker-rooms for football and a new dugout for the softball field. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dugout

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

Kids Definition

dugout

noun

dug·​out ˈdəg-ˌau̇t 

1

: a boat made by hollowing out a log

2

: a shelter dug in a hillside or in the ground

3

: a low shelter facing a baseball diamond and containing the players' bench