punch-out

1 of 2

noun

punch out

2 of 2

verb

punched out; punching out; punches out

intransitive verb

1
: to record the time of one's stopping work or departure by punching a time clock
2
: to bail out of an aircraft using an ejection seat

transitive verb

1
: to beat up
2

Examples of punch-out in a Sentence

Verb you should take a course in anger management—you can't go around punching out people
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
The hard-throwing lefty dominated across 72 appearances (72.0 innings), notching a 1.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 84 punch-outs. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024 Asus chose to have a punch-out camera and obscure part of the screen rather than mount it in a larger bezel, which shows how form has come ahead of function. Ewan Spence, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
Nurses are regularly reprimanded for exceeding the 12.5 shift hours and this has led to them punching out and remain working or giving report while not being on the clock to avoid getting in trouble. Tracy Briggs, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2024 Later in that series, tight end Julian Hill had the ball punched out at the 1-yard line, but left guard Robert Jones was there to scoop it up. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for punch-out 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of punch-out was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near punch-out

Cite this Entry

“Punch-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch-out. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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