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

Anderson made four saves for her sixth shutout for Angel City (7-7-5). — Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

In his second start since returning from the 15-day Injured List, Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan tossed five shutout innings and gave up four hits. — Harvey Valentine, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

Washington, the majors' highest-scoring team, was shut out for the fifth time this season and the second time in the three-game series. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Members of the public would be shut out from participating except in the rarest of circumstances. — Jane Montanaro, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 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