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

Several seconds elapsed before the Baltimore fielders headed back to the dugout. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

The man bankrolling it, John Middleton, was seated in the first row behind the Phillies’ dugout Friday. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

But, as Dinger was passing in front of the Comets dugout, Thomas hopped onto the field and right into the path of the scooter-ridin' mascot. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Pitchers Tyler Mahle and Robbie Ray, both candidates to be sent away next week, watched from the dugout as the Giants blew the game open in the sixth inning with seven runs. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 29 July 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