shutout

1 of 2

noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t 

1

: a game or contest in which one side fails to score

2

: a preemptive bid in bridge

shut out

2 of 2

verb

shut out; shutting out; shuts out

transitive verb

1

: exclude

2

: to prevent (an opponent) from scoring in a game or contest

3

: to forestall the bidding of (bridge opponents) by making a high or preemptive bid

Synonyms of shutout

Verb

• exclude
• ban
• eliminate
• bar
• freeze out
• rule out
• prevent

Examples of shutout in a Sentence

Noun

They beat us in a 9–0 shutout.

Verb

local residents feel that they have been shut out of the debate for expanding the airport

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Wild got a 25-save shutout from Filip Gustavsson and built a two-goal lead after two periods with usual suspects Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy continuing their friendly battle for the team-scoring lead. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 11 Mar. 2026

Hugo Lloris of Los Angeles FC and Daniel of the San Jose Earthquakes have also opened with three straight shutouts. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Verb

The Wild, who have not been shut out this season, evened the score early in the third on their second power play of the game. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026

But Australia has, thus far, not allowed a run in the round robin runs allowed tiebreaker, by virtue of shutting out Chinese Taipei to start the tournament. —Maria Torres, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shutout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

shutout

1 of 2 noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t 

: a game in which one side fails to score

shut out

2 of 2 verb

ˌshət-ˈau̇t

1

: to keep something out : exclude

2

: to keep an opponent from scoring in a game