outcome

noun

out·​come ˈau̇t-ˌkəm How to pronounce outcome (audio)
: something that follows as a result or consequence
a surprising outcome
patient outcomes of bypass surgery
We are still awaiting the final outcome of the trial.

Examples of outcome in a Sentence

the outcome of the election We are still awaiting the final outcome of the trial. There are two possible outcomes.
Recent Examples on the Web Department policy has long warned prosecutors to take care in charging cases with potential political overtones around the time of an election, to avoid any possible influence on the outcome. CBS News, 22 Nov. 2023 Despite the calamities, Ukraine has become more united than in its 32 years of independence and has drawn closer to the EU, the United States, and the West in general – an outcome Putin had tried to prevent. Hanna Arhirova, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2023 But there is also an offer on the table from Microsoft to start a new AI research group there, which would be a cruelly ironic outcome for OpenAI, which was founded as a nonprofit with the goal of drawing talent away from Silicon Valley’s biggest companies and developing AI safely. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2023 There was no sense this would be his preferred outcome, however. Bysage Lazzaro, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023 The disease generally does not appear to respond to antibiotics, and in acute cases of pneumonia, poor outcomes are seen in as little as 24 to 36 hours, according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, which has received more than 200 reports of potential cases. Kelly Kasulis Cho, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 Leadership worked with you around the clock to find a mutually agreeable outcome. Will Knight, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2023 Kate created the center within the larger philanthropic Royal Foundation in June 2021 to raise awareness of the importance of the first five years of life and advance outcomes for a brighter society. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023 The researchers did note that data did not specify whether marijuana was eaten or inhaled, which could influence cardiovascular outcomes. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 18 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outcome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outcome was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near outcome

Cite this Entry

“Outcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outcome. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

outcome

noun
out·​come ˈau̇t-ˌkəm How to pronounce outcome (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on outcome

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