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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025 Americans who are taking GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are spending less on takeout and on dining out at restaurants, according to a recent report released by Bloomberg Intelligence. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
While there is no indoor dining, there is a the walk-up window for take-out orders, complemented by an outdoor seating area, and a Mobile Thru lane for purchases made through the restaurant’s app. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 Chipotle is working hard to get to where other restaurants are whether casual, sit-down, or take-out. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Unlike Ragebound, where most bad guys can be killed with a single blow, Art of Vengeance has more methodical battle systems, requiring players to utilize specific combos and abilities to take out certain enemy types. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025 England were embarrassingly under-dressed, out of rhythm and not up for a fight after the summer holiday funfair of The Hundred took out the August calendar. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for takeout

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Takeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeout. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

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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