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 Athletics’ second season in the Sacramento region came to an end Sunday with a shutout loss. — Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Throw out the Fresno State shutout, since that feels a bit like an aberration at this point, and the Trojans have only sacked the quarterback three times in their other four games. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

In the day's other National Women's Soccer League matches, Gotham FC downed the Chicago Stars 3-1; and the San Diego Wave shut out Racing Louisville 2-0. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

All were sensational players who managed to shut out the noise and put up tremendous numbers. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 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