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

Unlike dining out or ordering takeout, the etiquette around tipping for flower delivery isn’t always clear-cut. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026

The offer is good for dine-in, takeout and drive-thru orders, limited to one per person. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 May 2026

Adjective

My silverware drawer is packed with personality—it’s filled with assorted spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks, plastic take-out utensils, and metal straws that my family and I use on a regular basis. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026

Singletary is already looking to expand the Carson location, which mostly operates as a take-out operation. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

Verb

Michael Loria Israel launched strikes near Beirut Wednesday in an effort to take out a Hezbollah commander, according to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 May 2026

The Montreal Canadiens took out one of the biggest favorites in the sport in the first round. —David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 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