rut

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrət 

1

: a periodic and often annually recurring state of certain male animals (such as deer or elk) during which behavior associated with the urge to breed is displayed

2

: the period of time during which rut occurs : breeding season

rut

2 of 4

verb (1)

rutted; rutting

intransitive verb

: to be in or enter into a state of rut

rut

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

a

: a track worn by a wheel or by habitual passage

b

: a groove in which something runs

c

: channel, furrow

2

: a usual or fixed practice

especially : a monotonous routine

fall easily into a conversational rut

rut

4 of 4

verb (2)

rutted; rutting

transitive verb

: to make a rut in : furrow

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• drill
• grind
• groove
• lockstep
• pattern
• rote
• routine
• treadmill

Examples of rut in a Sentence

Noun (2)

I've fallen into a rut, watching television and then going to bed every night

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Private equity dealmaking has been stuck in a rut with exits particularly stagnant, stretching median holding periods to a record 6.4 years in 2023. —Aaron Weitzman, Axios, 24 Sep. 2024

The season coincided with the peak of the rut, and bulls had to be five-pointers or better to be legal. —Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 12 Sep. 2024

However, today, San Francisco's governance seems stuck in a rut, unable to effectively address the pressing issues of homelessness, crime, economic stagnation, and public safety. —William E. Oberndorf, TIME, 9 Sep. 2024

Our good ruts are where joy, abundance and happiness find us. —Erin Stafford, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English rutte, from Middle French ruit rut, disturbance, from Late Latin rugitus roar, from Latin rugire to roar; akin to Middle Irish rucht roar, Old Church Slavic rŭžati to neigh

Noun (2)

perhaps modification of Middle French route way, route

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1600, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1607, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rut

1 of 4 noun

ˈrət 

1

: a track worn by a wheel or by frequent passage

2

: a usual or fixed routine

I need a change—I'm getting in a rut

rutty

ˈrət-ē

adjective

rut

2 of 4 verb

rutted; rutting

: to make a rut in

rut

3 of 4 noun

: the period during which male animals (as elk or deer) display behavior associated with the urge to breed

rut

4 of 4 verb

rutted; rutting

: to exhibit behavior associated with the rut

—used of a male animal

Etymology

Noun

probably derived from early French route "route, way"

Noun

Middle English rutte "state of sexual excitement," from early French ruit "rut, disturbance," from Latin rugitus "roar," from earlier rugire "to roar"

Medical Definition

rut

1 of 2 noun

ˈrət 

1

: a periodic and often annually recurring state of certain male animals (such as deer or elk) during which behavior associated with the urge to breed is displayed

2

: the period of time during which rut occurs : breeding season

rut

2 of 2 intransitive verb

rutted; rutting

: to be in or enter into a state of rut