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

• 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

Although indoor seating is limited, the restaurant sees steady takeout traffic and guests are given pagers to help minimize crowding inside. —Irene Milanez, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025

Ethiopian How to order: Dine-in or call [phone] for takeout; delivery is available through its website. —Mari Pressley, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2025

Adjective

First there were shutdowns, then take-out and delivery only, then social distancing. —Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 13 July 2025

However, in California, hot food is generally taxable while cold food is not—the opposite is true for take-out drinks, where hot drinks are generally taxable and cold drinks are not. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

Verb

With the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, graduate students in need of federal tuition assistance will have to take out Direct Unsubsidized Loans. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 11 July 2025

Here are the highlights: Legislation details: The new law allows condo associations to take out lines of credit, invest owner fees for future repairs and pause reserve contributions for immediate repairs, aiming to make buildings safer without adding new funds. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 9 July 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