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

Even before this summer’s heat, the EU had begun loosening a number of its emissions targets and delaying the phaseout of gas and diesel vehicles, in an apparent effort to blunt the far right’s use of green policies as a campaign issue. — Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026

The distinction between cash and non-cash payments is also significant for retailers as the penny phaseout poses several compliance challenges. — Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

And how quickly SpaceX can scale Starship to match Falcon 9's reliability will ultimately determine how soon the legacy rocket is largely phased out of commission. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026

This way, statistical confidence gets flagged earlier, so decisions don't wait on an arbitrary deadline, and underperforming variants get phased out automatically instead of running to completion for no reason. — Karan Sharma, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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