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

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

Last season, Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead before exiting in six games, and lost shutout defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to the New York Rangers in free agency. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

The two-time Cy Young Award winner did so at just the right time Monday, completing six shutout innings while striking out nine. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Verb

Seattle was shut out for most of the first half, then Darnold led five straight touchdown drives from the end of the second quarter to late in the fourth. —Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025

Eagles were shut out in second half. —Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025

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