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

Ray continued his reinvention into a two-seam fastball pitcher, churning efficient contact outs and taking a shutout into the eighth inning before allowing an unearned run. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 June 2026

He was followed by Wilson, a waiver claim from Philadelphia, who threw 4 1/3 shutout innings and escaped jams in the third and fourth innings. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Verb

It was shut out in its first two matches. — Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Expanding those efforts could help build a workforce pipeline made up of people who have been historically overlooked, underestimated or shut out of healthcare careers altogether. — Barb Clapp, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 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