phaseout

1 of 2

noun

phase·​out ˈfāz-ˌau̇t 

: a gradual stopping (as in operations or production) : a closing down by phases

phase out

2 of 2

verb

phased out; phasing out; phases out

transitive verb

: to discontinue the practice, production, or use of by phases

intransitive verb

: to stop production or operation by phases

Examples of phaseout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The deduction is capped at $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers), subject to income phaseouts, and requires a valid Social Security number and (for married taxpayers) joint filing. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

The tax code changes allow a deduction of up to $10,000 for interest payments on some vehicles with a phaseout for taxpayers earning more than $100,000 a year or $200,000 a year for those married and filing jointly. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Verb

What’s left of it could be phasing out as James — who’s 41 years old and in a contract year — nears the end of his career, or at least his time with the Lakers. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026

This was evident at COP30 in Belém, where negotiations once again failed to deliver a clear, binding commitment to phase out fossil fuels, and where one in every 25 attendees represented fossil fuel interests. —Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Time, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1940, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for phaseout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

phase out

verb

: to discontinue doing, producing, or using

phasing out old machinery