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.

—John 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

see also:

take it out on

Synonyms of takeout

Verb

• unleash
• give way (to)
• release

Examples of takeout in a Sentence

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

It will now be called Sei Pizza Bar and will continue offering dine-in and takeout, but will be more of a neighborhood spot with the new location further west being Joo’s flagship and more of a dining destination. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 24 June 2026

Guests tipped more during the pandemic for takeout since that was the main way people enjoyed restaurant food, and people wanted to support restaurants and their staff, Koerber said. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Adjective

The most popular route flows between Riverbend Park and McKay Park, and floaters can ride the River Shuttle on repeat all day (which many do) between the put-in and take-out spots. —Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026

Her take-out biryani, coconut shrimp and chicken tikka are rooted in family recipes from Kolkata. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Verb

But once the shooting started, Dandrae Martin, who was shot in the left arm; and Payton, also shot, took out their own weapons to defend themselves. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

Stone questioned whether i-Ready could be taken out of kindergarten through second grade classrooms or whether parents could opt out of the program. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

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

Rhymes for takeout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

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