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

Last season, the team managed 27 total first-quarter points across the entire 17-game campaign, shut out in the first quarter 12 times. —Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

The Crusaders have shut out their last two opponents, beating Helix 13-0 and Chula Vista 27-0. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 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