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

Verb

• ban
• bar
• close out
• count (out)
• debar
• eliminate
• except
• exclude
• freeze out
• rule out

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 34-year-old veteran beat the Padres earlier this month with six shutout innings at Wrigley. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025

Bobrovsky went 33-19-2 this season with five shutouts, a .906 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025

Verb

That could include access to billions in federal subsidies to increase rural internet access that SpaceX was shut out of under the Biden administration. —Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

That’s the second time this season, and the seventh time in franchise history, the Blue Jackets have been shut out in consecutive games. —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

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