shut·out
ˈshət-ˌau̇t 
1
: a game or contest in which one side fails to score
2
: a preemptive bid in bridge
shut out; shutting out; shuts out
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
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
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Latour was masterful in the pitching circle, twirling a complete-game shutout while scattering four hits and striking out eight in a 4-0 win for D-R. Latour came through at the plate, too, notching two hits and an RBI.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for shutout
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Noun
Since Miley joined the team, the Reds have notched their first walk-off and shutout of the season, their first Ohio Cup since 2014, and their first comeback win of the season when trailing after seven innings.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Latour was masterful in the pitching circle, twirling a complete-game shutout while scattering four hits and striking out eight in a 4-0 win for D-R. Latour came through at the plate, too, notching two hits and an RBI.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 12 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
See All Example Sentences for shutout
Cite this Entry
“Shutout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutout. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shutout
1 of 2 noun
shut·out
ˈshət-ˌau̇t
: a game in which one side fails to score
shut out
2 of 2 verbˌshət-ˈau̇t
1
: to keep something out : exclude
2
: to keep an opponent from scoring in a game
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