: a spell or period of activity: such as
a
: an athletic match (as of boxing)
lost his bout with the champion
b
: outbreak, attack
a bout of pneumonia
frequent bouts of depression
survived her bout with cancer
c
: session
a drinking bout
a bout of unemployment

Examples of bout in a Sentence

undoubtedly the team's best wrestler, he hasn't lost a bout yet she's currently suffering from a bout of the flu
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.
Williams and his crew have a lot of ideas to grow the sport, including celebrity fights; coed matches; choreographed bouts; sport against sport (e.g., baseball players vs. football stars); pajama fights; and city teams. Candace Oehler, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 The turnout on TV was up 18% from last year’s bout (816,800 viewers) and up 6% from the previous record high for the NWSL championship game, set in 2022 (915,000). Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024 The bout, which had viewers fighting streaming issues, resulted in a unanimous decision victory for Paul in the officially sanctioned match. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 26 Nov. 2024 After missing each of the Timberwolves’ last two games, starting point guard Mike Conley remains questionable for the team’s home bout Tuesday against the Houston Rockets — the third of four NBA Cup group-play contests — with a toe sprain. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bout 

Word History

Etymology

English dialect, a trip going and returning in plowing, from Middle English bought bend

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bout was in 1575

Dictionary Entries Near bout

Cite this Entry

“Bout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bout. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bout

noun
1
: a spell of activity
nonstop bout of reading
2
: an athletic match
wrestling bout
3
: attack entry 2 sense 3
a bout of measles

More from Merriam-Webster on bout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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