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

Conor Sheary scored on the Rangers' seventh shot to end James Reimer's shutout bid with 13 minutes left. —CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

With the North leading 2-1 after the first two periods, Marshfield’s Morgan Murphy (13 saves) posted a shutout third period to help the South force overtime, and had two saves in extra time to force the shootout. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026

Verb

The only exciting corner of the industry not among the winners were the indies, as Neon only won the one trophy and A24 was shut out entirely. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

Haupt gave his team a chance to come back by shutting out the Vikings over his four innings of work. —Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 19 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