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

Assistant coach Eric Birle managed the on-field duties Friday and Gordon hopes to be back in the dugout Saturday. —Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026

On my son’s team, ambitious young athletes determined to excel share the dugout with reluctant participants and kids who just want to throw a ball around with their friends. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 May 2026

And somewhere in the dugout, the manager reminded himself not to take it for granted. —Sam McDowell May 22, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026

That process will get underway ahead of the tournament, allowing for FIFA’s sideline sponsorship boards and team dugouts to be built into the current structure. —Elias Burke, New York Times, 21 May 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