readout

1 of 2

noun

read·​out ˈrēd-ˌau̇t 

variants or less commonly read-out

plural readouts also read-outs

1

a

: the process of removing information from an automatic device (such as a computer or sensor) and displaying it in an understandable form

b

: the information removed from such a device and displayed or recorded (as by printing device or electronic screen)

… systems are capable of giving a constant readout of speed and distance traveled to a high degree of accuracy.

—Dutton's Navigation & Piloting

c

: an electronic device that presents information in visual form

The second-best thing is the monitor: It produced extremely crisp, sharp images, and an LED readout on the front provides pertinent information such as the current resolution and refresh rate.

—Preston Gralla

2

: a document that summarizes the content of a meeting, telephone call, etc. involving government officials

Many foreign leaders also issue their own readouts, providing their version of the calls, which can sometimes differ in tone and emphasis from the White House summary.

—Vivian Salama

3

: the radio transmission of data or pictures from a space vehicle

read out

2 of 2

verb

read out; reading out; reads out

transitive verb

1

a

: to read aloud

b

: to produce a readout of

2

: to expel from an organization or group

Examples of readout in a Sentence

Noun

The calculator has a digital readout.

He checked the readout on the screen.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The e-nose is smaller than a credit card, with a power consumption of only 1.2 to 1.5 watts (including the microprocessor and USB readout). —IEEE Spectrum, 20 Nov. 2024

The trade-off is a bulky case that doesn’t slide readily into your shorts pocket but does have a handy battery-life readout built into the side. —Will Palmer, Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024

Verb

But Ibarra, 26, showed no reaction as his sentence was read out in court. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

What’s a good author to read out at the Thanksgiving table? —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

readout

noun

read·​out ˈrēd-ˌau̇t 

: an electronic device that displays information (as data from a calculator)

also : the information displayed