shoot-out

noun \ ˈshüt-ˌau̇t \

Definition of shoot-out

1 : a battle fought with handguns or rifles

2 : something resembling a shoot-out; broadly : showdown

3 : a shooting competition in overtime that is used to determine the winner of a game (as in soccer or hockey) tied at the end of regular play

See shoot-out defined for English-language learners

See shoot-out defined for kids

First Known Use of shoot-out

1948

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SHOOT-OUT Defined for English Language Learners

shoot-out

noun

Definition of shoot-out for English Language Learners

: a fight in which people shoot guns at each other until one side is killed or defeated
soccer or hockey : a competition that is used to decide the winner at the end of a tie game by giving each team a particular number of chances to shoot the ball or puck into the goal
: a competition between two people or groups that remains very close until the end

Learn More about shoot-out

See words that rhyme with shoot-out Spanish Central: Translation of shoot-out

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up shoot-out? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

vouchsafe

play

to grant as a privilege or special favor

BROWSE DICTIONARY

shoot one's mouth off

shoot on sight

shoot-out

shoot-root ratio

shoot the bull

Test Your Vocabulary

Obscure Shapes

Something that is ooid is shaped like:

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games