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

Noun (2)

• drill
• grind
• groove
• lockstep
• pattern
• rote
• routine
• treadmill

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

Just as against Arsenal, the team was stuck in a rut, and only Vinicius was able to change the dynamic with individual moves that began to lift the fans’ spirits. —Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025

Over the last nine games, however, the offense has come to a screeching halt; averaging barely three runs per contest during their current 3-6 rut. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Verb

The mating, or rutting, season for deer in Connecticut runs from late October to mid-December, with the peak being the last two weeks in November, according to the state’s DEEP. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2025

The last seven miles to Whitmore Point drop 1,500 feet over rocky, rutted terrain that was super fun to bomb on a mountain bike. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 4 Feb. 2025

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