rut

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrət 

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

c

: channel, furrow

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

Synonyms of rut

Noun (2)

• routine
• grind
• groove

Examples of rut in a Sentence

Noun (2)

I've fallen into a rut, watching television and then going to bed every night

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In his first West Coast NHL job, Laviolette is taking over a good team that is stuck in a profound rut, unable to become a Stanley Cup contender. —Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

There isn’t any special formula to get the Cubs out of this offensive rut. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026

Verb

Ground clearance still limits ambitions for serious green-laning, but across steep inclines, deeply rutted tracks, and surprisingly deep water crossings, the Jaecoo 8 remained composed and unbothered. —Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026

And nature lovers will appreciate the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, a 1,160-acre tallgrass prairie boasting wildflowers, exotic birds, spring-fed ponds and authentic 19th-century wagon ruts from a cutoff of the Oregon Trail. —Matt Alderton, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026

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 Slavic 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

Rhymes for rut

• but
• butt
• cut
• glut
• gut
• hut
• jut
• mutt
• nut
• putt
• shut
• smut

Kids Definition

rut

1 of 4 noun

ˈrət 

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

ˈrət 

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