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

But against the Reds at Truist Park, with Sale and the Braves trailing 1-0 to start the sixth inning, Sale popped out of the dugout and made the slow trot to the mound. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Now, he's got a three-year deal in the dugout to produce better days ahead. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026

The Sox need only look in the opposite dugout for an example. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes was waiting in the opposing dugout. — Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026

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