lookout

1 of 2

noun

look·​out ˈlu̇k-ˌau̇t 

1

: one engaged in keeping watch : watchman

2

: an elevated place or structure affording a wide view for observation

3

: a careful looking or watching

on the lookout

4

: view, outlook

5

: a matter of care or concern

look out

2 of 2

verb

looked out; looking out; looks out

intransitive verb

: to take care or concern oneself

—used with for

looking out for number one

Synonyms

Noun

• observatory
• outlook
• overlook

Verb

• beware (of)
• guard (against)
• mind
• ware
• watch out (for)

Examples of lookout in a Sentence

Noun

The troops posted a lookout for the night.

The mountain road had several lookouts where you could enjoy the view.

Verb

if you go in those woods, look out for snakes!

as a fiduciary, she has an obligation to look out for our interests

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This location also offers resort amenities, including a comfort station, community spaces, lookout points, and hiking trails, depending on the season. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025

The public is welcome and should keep a lookout for tournaments, game jams and seminars to come. —Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025

Verb

Dogs love looking out of windows for several reasons. —Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

The Thunderbirds are a team to look out for heading into the playoffs, and that showed Friday night in a 58-45 victory over Crete-Monee in a Southland Athletic Conference finale in Crete. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1752, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lookout

• be on the lookout for
• keep a lookout for
• on the lookout for
• someone's lookout

Rhymes for lookout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

lookout

noun

look·​out ˈlu̇k-ˌau̇t 

1

: a person who keeps watch

2

: a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible

3

: a careful looking or watching

4

: outlook sense 1b

5

: a matter of care or concern

the plants are wilting, but that's not my lookout