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

Standing out in the victory was the first shutout of the season for goalie Maddie Rooney. —Theodore Tollefson, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026

And then Venezuela rallied in the top of the ninth and Palencia closed it with a shutout bottom of the ninth. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026

Verb

But Timothée Chalamet and crew were shut out. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026

Adoni Vassilakis and Kendall Meyers also delivered huge defensive efforts as Marist shut out Benet (36-2) in the second quarter and held the Redwings to just three points in the fourth quarter. —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 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