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

Lloris entered with eight shutouts through his first 10 starts, posting three more clean sheets than any other keeper in the league. —Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

Riley Greene hit an RBI double to avoid the shutout. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026

Verb

That’s why Uthmeier has also sought to dismantle government programs and offices that merely collect data that might show whether minorities are being unfairly shut out of things like government contracts. —Scott Maxwell, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026

The Avs have allowed one 4-on-5 goal in this postseason, shutting out the NHL’s third-best power play through two games of this series. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 May 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