rut

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
: a periodic and often annually recurring state of certain male animals (such as deer or elk) during which behavior associated with the urge to breed is displayed
2
: the period of time during which rut occurs : breeding season

rut

2 of 4

verb (1)

rutted; rutting

intransitive verb

: to be in or enter into a state of rut

rut

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
a
: a track worn by a wheel or by habitual passage
b
: a groove in which something runs
2
: a usual or fixed practice
especially : a monotonous routine
fall easily into a conversational rut

rut

4 of 4

verb (2)

rutted; rutting

transitive verb

: to make a rut in : furrow

Examples of rut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Coles found ruts from Neuwiller’s truck, along with spent shells, wadding, and feathers on the ground. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 13 Sep. 2023 But once my office life in Manhattan resumed, that day-in-day-out sneaker rut began to feel schlubbly. Dale Hrabi, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2023 But the sterling work ethic that paved the way for First Aid Kit’s career also formed a deep rut of burnout. Victoria Wasylak, BostonGlobe.com, 13 July 2023 We are also stuck in a rut because of a front stalling over the area with shower and storm chances for at least the next four days. David Streit, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023 Red stags are extremely aggressive for two-plus months, both leading up to and throughout the rut, the British Deer Society says. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 24 Aug. 2023 Stylish layering tops, fun accessories, and refreshed basics can make your oldest pair of denim feel new and get you out of an end-of-the-season rut. Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2023 There’s no easy solution to the rut the market is currently in. Andrew Brinker, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023 Get out of your salad rut with this bright, refreshing salad that stars thin slabs of aromatic honeydew. Joy Cho, Good Housekeeping, 16 June 2023
Verb
Huge flocks of migratory birds, the murmurations of local species, rutting deer bellowing on the hills and in the woodland, and—more earthbound and much smaller—the amazing variety of life that toils to return organic matter to the soil are just some of the wonders of the season. Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 10 Sep. 2023 By Monday afternoon, the sun was out, and the roads were dry and deeply rutted in areas, although even the littlest Hondas and Hyundais were leaving with no problems. Katie Bain, Billboard, 8 Sep. 2023 Bulls can be aggressive during the rutting season, mid-July through August. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 19 July 2023 There are several phases to the rut, but in most parts of the country heavy rutting activity begins in late October and continues through mid-November. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2022 Humans, especially those visiting national parks, should keep 50 to 100 yards away from rutting deer and elk. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 24 Aug. 2023 Deep in the woods of Wellfleet, on Cape Cod, down winding and rutted dirt roads, a summer home built in 1949 by the Modernist architect Marcel Breuer sits perched on stilts. Helen Stoilas, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023 This means that rutting bucks will spend more time on their feet, searching for does when the rut begins. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2022 If the air temperature stays above 104 consistently, the streets can get rutted within a matter of days. Curbed, 28 July 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English rutte, from Middle French ruit rut, disturbance, from Late Latin rugitus roar, from Latin rugire to roar; akin to Middle Irish rucht roar, Old Church Slavonic rŭžati to neigh

Noun (2)

perhaps modification of Middle French route way, route

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1600, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rut was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rut

Cite this Entry

“Rut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rut. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

rut

1 of 4 noun
1
: a track worn by a wheel or by frequent passage
2
: a usual or fixed routine
I need a change—I'm getting in a rut
rutty
ˈrət-ē
adjective

rut

2 of 4 verb
rutted; rutting
: to make a rut in

rut

3 of 4 noun
: the period during which male animals (as elk or deer) display behavior associated with the urge to breed

rut

4 of 4 verb
rutted; rutting
: to exhibit behavior associated with the rut
used of a male animal
Etymology

Noun

probably derived from early French route "route, way"

Noun

Middle English rutte "state of sexual excitement," from early French ruit "rut, disturbance," from Latin rugitus "roar," from earlier rugire "to roar"

Medical Definition

rut

1 of 2 noun
1
: a periodic and often annually recurring state of certain male animals (such as deer or elk) during which behavior associated with the urge to breed is displayed
2
: the period of time during which rut occurs : breeding season

rut

2 of 2 intransitive verb
rutted; rutting
: to be in or enter into a state of rut

More from Merriam-Webster on rut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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