takeout

1 of 3

noun

take·​out ˈtāk-ˌau̇t 

1

a

: prepared food packaged to be consumed away from its place of sale

b

: an establishment selling takeout

2

: the action or an act of taking out

3

a

: something taken out or prepared to be taken out

b(1)

: an article (as in a newspaper) printed on consecutive pages so as to be conveniently removed

(2)

: an intensive study or report

take-out

2 of 3

adjective

ˈtāk-ˌau̇t 

: of, relating to, selling, or being food not to be consumed on the premises

take-out counter

a take-out supper

take out

3 of 3

verb

took out; taken out; taking out; takes out

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: deduct, separate

(2)

: exclude, omit

(3)

: withdraw, withhold

b

: to find release for : vent

take out their resentments on one another

—J. W. Aldridge

c(1)

: eliminate

(2)

: kill, destroy

(3)

: knock out

2

a

: to obtain from the proper authority

take out a charter

take out a second mortgage

b

: to arrange for (insurance)

3

: to take as an equivalent in another form

took the debt out in trade

4

: to overcall (a bridge partner) in a different suit

intransitive verb

: to start on a course : set out

Phrases

take it out on

: to expend anger, vexation, or frustration in harassment of

Synonyms

Verb

• loose
• release
• unleash
• vent

Example Sentences

Noun

We ordered some Chinese takeout.

She works in a Chinese takeout.

Verb

he took out his frustrations by splitting a cord of firewood

she'd like to take the new boy out to the movies sometime

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The retail space will also be home to another new Lee concept, Neighbors Noodles, a takeout-only noodle shop. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 19 Jan. 2023

Air-Fried Double Cherry Mini Eggrolls Enjoy a sweet version of the classic Chinese takeout dish. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2023

And obviously, the pandemic had an impact on this because, although New York is a big takeout town, the pandemic ratcheted that up on steroids, basically. —The Politics Of Everything, The New Republic, 18 Jan. 2023

Thanks to Kim, Mazen—who co-owned a small takeout shop with Rosette in their hometown and is a graduate of Emma’s Torch, a Brooklyn restaurant that trains refugees—became enamored of Korean food. —Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2023

For example, telling people to spend less by cutting back on takeout and canceling gym memberships isn’t going to be received well during the cost-of-living crisis. —Lis Anderson, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2022

Despite the grimness, there was Chinese takeout, there was wine. —Han Ong, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023

People ordered more takeout from the company during the early days of Covid and sales have surged over the past year as inflation sent restaurant-goers looking for cheaper options. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 6 Jan. 2023

But that's not all this family-run takeout favorite is celebrated for. —Brooke Viggiano, Chron, 6 Jan. 2023

Verb

From greasy take out to hot soup and special hydrating concoctions, here are several ways bartenders around the country combat that crappy feeling after a long night out. —Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022

The low-to-ground design helps your kids easily take out and put away too. —Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 3 Jan. 2023

Of course, there are the diehard space nerds with a long history of geeking out over anything related to the final frontier, and amateur astronomers who take out telescopes on clear nights. —Kylee Mcguigan, Popular Mechanics, 12 Dec. 2022

Recently eliminated contestants have also shared their thoughts on who could take out the winning title. —Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 12 Dec. 2022

And most brands will say explicitly which to take out any guesswork. —Talon Homer, Popular Mechanics, 2 Dec. 2022

To allow our armed forces to take out Qasem Soleimani, a man responsible for the death of hundreds of American service members during the war in Iraq. —NBC News, 20 Nov. 2022

Two months ago, Aman’s guests were watching Tiafoe take out Nadal at the U.S. Open. —Nick Remsen, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2022

And history suggests that voters will take out their frustrations on the party in power. —Steve Peoples, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1941, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing takeout

• takeout double

• takeout double

Kids Definition

takeout

1 of 2 noun

take·​out ˈtā-ˌkau̇t 

1

: the action or an act of taking out

2

: something taken out or made to be taken out

3

: prepared food packaged to be eaten away from its place of sale

take out

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)tā-ˈkau̇t

1

a

: to take away : deduct

b

: remove entry 1 sense 4

2

: to find release for : vent

took out their anger on me

3

: to conduct or escort into the open or to a public entertainment

4

: to take as payment in another form

took the debt out in goods

5

: to obtain from the proper authority

take out a charter

6

: to start on a course : set out