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

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

Panda Express is open for dine-in, takeout, delivery and mobile order pickup at 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday and 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025

To celebrate the season and the holiday of freedom, restaurants around the city are offering special menus for dine-in and takeout. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Catfish Sam’s, one of two historic Arlington restaurants on a century-old highway between Fort Worth and Dallas, is up against a new challenger from Louisiana with a simple take-out stand but low prices and lots of flavor. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025

QSRs have a smaller geographic footprint and lower labor costs due to the use of drive-through and take-out, and the use of technology (i.e., mobile apps for ordering ahead, self-serve kiosks, and artificial intelligence) is further streamlining costs. —Shimite Obialo, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Verb

Every woman dreams of finding the perfect sundress—one that's versatile enough to wear with a denim jacket while running errands with the kids, layered with a cardigan for the office, and still feel feminine enough to take out for date night. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025

The home of the NFL’s Chargers and Rams was privately financed, with significant help from the NFL’s G-4 stadium lending program; the league waived its debt limits to allow the Rams to take out at least $2 billion in loans. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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