washout

1 of 2

noun

wash·​out ˈwȯsh-ˌau̇t How to pronounce washout (audio)
ˈwäsh-
1
a
: the washing out or away of something and especially of earth in a roadbed by a freshet
b
: a place where earth is washed away
2
: one that fails to measure up : failure: such as
a
: one who fails in a course of training or study
b
: an unsuccessful enterprise or undertaking

wash out

2 of 2

verb

washed out; washing out; washes out

transitive verb

1
: to wash free of an extraneous substance (such as dirt)
2
a
: to cause to fade by or as if by laundering
b
: to deplete the strength or vitality of
c
: to eliminate as useless or unsatisfactory : reject
3
a
: to destroy or make useless by the force or action of water
the storm washed out the bridge
b
: rain out
the game was washed out

intransitive verb

1
: to become depleted of color or vitality : fade
2
: to fail to meet requirements or measure up to a standard

Examples of washout in a Sentence

Noun He was a washout as a professional golfer. The team lost so many games that the season was a total washout. Yesterday's game was a washout. Verb most of the participants in the tough training program washed out the bright lights of the TV studio washed out her facial features, making her look as white as a ghost
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
No complaints about 3-1 overall last week, but the washout against the spread was a plain bummer. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024 Not a complete washout forcing you to stay inside, but an umbrella or a good rain jacket might be wise. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2023 In 2017, a Lansing resident was killed because of a washout on the same stretch of road. Madeline Heim and Brittney J. Miller, Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023 The buck bedded near an overgrown washout that ran through the corn. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 13 Dec. 2023 Following Tuesday’s washout, today was a comparative winner. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023 More in the way of warmer-than-normal stuff is ahead through the weekend, even on Sunday, which is basically a washout. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2023 In Peru, distances on a map may look short as the quetzal flies, but actually traversing them — often on narrow, vertiginous roads prone to washouts, rockslides, and a startling array of livestock — can be grindingly slow. Tom Vanderbilt, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2023 Slight chances for rain return mid-week, the weather service said, but coverage should be mostly isolated and a washout is unlikely. Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2023
Verb
Other services cite concerns that lower-performing recruits may be more likely to wash out of boot camp or could present more disciplinary problems over time. Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Jan. 2024 Stains easily washed out of the fabric, the material dried quickly, and the sheets didn’t reveal any noticeable wear and tear over time—even after being in a home with pets. Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2024 In order to avoid light pollution, which washes out the fainter stars in the Milky Way, watch the sky from outside cities or urban areas with bright lights. USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024 The erosion has washed out roads, disrupted the livelihoods for local fishermen, and carved up beaches that are major tourist attractions. Jake Bittle, WIRED, 10 Feb. 2024 Effectiveness: Our team considered how well each shampoo lathered and cleaned, as well as how easily it was washed out from a variety of dog fur types — long hair, short hair, double coat, etc. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024 The closure from Las Posas Road to Sycamore Canyon Road came after a right lane shoulder was partially washed out, officials said, with concerns that incoming high tides could cause further shoulder damage on the dark roadway. Nathaniel Percy, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2024 While one color could be easily washed out, another color was not completely removed. Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2024 The shampoo creates a good lather and washes out well. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'washout.' 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

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1540, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of washout was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near washout

Cite this Entry

“Washout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/washout. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

washout

1 of 2 noun
wash·​out ˈwȯsh-ˌau̇t How to pronounce washout (audio)
ˈwäsh-
1
a
: the washing away of earth (as from a road)
b
: a place where earth is washed away
2
: a complete failure

wash out

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)wȯsh-ˈau̇t,
(ˈ)wäsh-
1
: to fade or cause to fade by or as if by laundering
2
: to exhaust the strength or energy
3
: to fail to measure up to a standard
4
: to destroy by the force or action of water

Medical Definition

washout

noun
: the action or process of progressively reducing the concentration of a substance (as a dye injected into the left ventricle of the heart)

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