takeout

1 of 3

noun

take·​out ˈtāk-ˌau̇t How to pronounce takeout (audio)
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

: 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)
(2)
b
: to find release for : vent
take out their resentments on one anotherJ. W. Aldridge
c(1)
(2)
(3)
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

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
Oxtail tagliatelle, on the other hand, is a mash-up between the beef lo mein served at Lucky Danger, Ma’s American Chinese takeout, and Taiwanese beef noodle soup, one of his childhood memories. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023 In the three-story building – across from a hotel, a Trader Joe’s market, and various takeout and sit-down restaurants – battles are fought in Overwatch and Valorant, two first-person shooter games; and Rocket League, a vehicular soccer game. Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2023 After a pandemic-era run in a tiny takeout spot on the Lower East Side, the chef, Justin Lee, relocated this summer to across the George Washington Bridge. Melissa Clark, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2023 Rather than being served on a tray, food is packaged in clear containers with deli paper, emulating restaurant takeout. Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2023 Citing that 20% of customers prefer to order takeout via phone but that up to 50% of restaurant calls go unanswered, DoorDash announced a new feature that will couple the use of A.I. with live agents to ensure all customer calls are promptly answered. Bysage Lazzaro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023 Festival offers drive-thru service, along with takeout food and on-site dining. Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 But Hudson took pity on us and agreed to gather a takeout feast of the menu’s soul food dishes that were already prepared or easy to warm. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023 Plus, Lorelai’s signature trinkets litter the living room, too—remember when Rory’s instructed to look for takeout money under the dancing rabbi figurine? Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Start by putting trash in the garbage can and recyclables like take-out containers, water bottles, and soda cans in the recycling bin. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023 Police said the take-out meals encouraged people to loiter around the center, including people banned from the center for causing trouble. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023 So take a clamshell that is used for your take-out chicken rotisserie. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023 The Maine Department of Environmental Protection released draft rules for regulating nine types of PFAS chemicals in food packaging, such as picnic plates, fast food wrappers, and take-out containers. Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2023 Some discuss making a pivot to take-out, and selling groceries to try and hang on. Kturnqui, oregonlive, 10 Aug. 2023 Categorize Paper Mail, bills, notes from school, take-out menus—paper piles up quickly. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2023 Great Cranberry also has a small museum, a take-out café, gift shop, and gorgeous views. Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2023 And remember to include the additional cost of take-out food while your kitchen is out of commission. Jennifer Nelson, Popular Mechanics, 24 July 2023
Verb
Then, one of Manesar’s associates takes out a phone and begins to film. Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023 And after taking out several important Russian air-defense systems on Crimea, Ukrainian missiles struck a Russian submarine and a large landing ship at the fleet’s largest dry dock on the occupied peninsula. Marc Santora Laetitia Vancon, New York Times, 26 Sep. 2023 And in The Warriors there was a kid that took out a spray can. Matt Thompson, Spin, 26 Sep. 2023 At a private college, the 30-year-old from Montecito Heights faced the prospect of taking out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. Debbie Truong, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2023 One of the most prominent victims of the GamerGate harassment campaign took out a restraining order against their ex-partner, whose false accusations lent fire to the movement. WIRED, 22 Sep. 2023 Both the new and old members work together to take out Stonebanks’s men, while Ross faces Stonebanks man-to-man in a sweaty battle of Republicans in which Ross kills his former partner and escapes with the team. Richard Newby, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2023 Cost As important as this piece of kit is, there’s no reason to take out a second mortgage to afford one. Jim Cobb, Field & Stream, 21 Sep. 2023 Moreover, any changes to a city's landscape – like taking out a highway -- would likely lead to new regional debates about who benefits from development. Mark Nichols, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'takeout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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)

Time Traveler
The first known use of takeout was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near takeout

take out

takeout

take-out

Cite this Entry

“Takeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeout. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

takeout

1 of 2 noun
take·​out ˈtā-ˌkau̇t How to pronounce takeout (audio)
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on takeout

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