gout

noun \ ˈgau̇t \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of gout

1 : a metabolic disease marked by a painful inflammation of the joints, deposits of urates in and around the joints, and usually an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood

2 : a mass or aggregate especially of something fluid often gushing or bursting forth

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gouty

play \ˈgau̇-tē\ adjective

See gout defined for English-language learners

See gout defined for kids

Recent Examples of gout from the Web

One will focus on treatments for gastrointestinal diseases and gout, which have been the mainstay of the 20-year-old Ironwood.

— BostonGlobe.com, "The week in business," 2 June 2018
But gout, the English disease, is nothing to joke about.

— john kass, chicagotribune.com, "My wife loves the royal wedding, and there’s nothing I can do," 16 May 2018
By 1792 he was hobbled with gout, recurring malaria and a lead ball in his leg from the Yorktown campaign.

— kathleen duval, WSJ, "‘Unlikely General’ Review: He Opened the Way West," 15 May 2018
Apparently, Blankenship thinks the best way to win the Republican primary is to attack McConnell, who apparently is about as popular as gout in other states.

— joseph gerth, The Courier-Journal, "Disgusting, racist attack on McConnell is a new low for coal Republican," 4 May 2018
One of the businesses will focus on treatments for gastrointestinal diseases, gout, and other conditions.

— jonathan saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "Cambridge pharma business to split into two companies," 1 May 2018
A century later, the male issue of the day, now the 2nd Earl of Dunraven, was in bed with gout and looking for a distraction.

— jo rodgers, Vogue, "Old World Meets New at Adare Manor, Ireland’s Just-Renovated Castle Hotel," 4 Apr. 2018
Feud among fossils, a bout with potential for gout -- an altercation featuring an omelette station They were born before computers.

— Fox News, "Gutfeld: The mistake Joe is making in his 2020 audition," 25 Mar. 2018
Historically, traditional Chinese medicine has mixed rhino horn with other natural ingredients for treating fever or relieving the symptoms of arthritis and gout.

— jeremy hsu, Scientific American, "The Hard Truth about the Rhino Horn “Aphrodisiac” Market," 5 Apr. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of gout

Middle English goute, from Anglo-French gute drop, gout, from Latin gutta drop

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

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GOUT Defined for English Language Learners

gout

noun

Definition of gout for English Language Learners

: a disease that causes painful swelling of the joints especially in the toes

Medical Dictionary

gout

noun \ ˈgau̇t \

medical Definition of gout

: a metabolic disease marked by a painful inflammation of the joints, deposits of urates in and around the joints, and usually an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood