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

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow threw two shutout innings in the first of at least three rehab assignments at Triple-A Oklahoma City. —Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 22 June 2025

Addy Margulis, Deerfield, sophomore, defender: Linchpin of defense that posted 10 shutouts also had three goals and five assists. —Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

Verb

After Mets starter Griffin Canning tore his Achilles in the third inning, three relievers shut out the Braves over the final 6 1/3 innings of a 4-0 loss. —David O'Brien, New York Times, 27 June 2025

What led to the 1953 coup in Iran? Britain, shut out from Iranian oil, leaned on the U.S. for assistance. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 June 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