shakeout

1 of 2

noun

shake·​out ˈshāk-ˌau̇t How to pronounce shakeout (audio)
1
: the failure or retrenchment of a significant number of firms in the economy or a sector or an industry that usually results in a depressed market
2
: a period or process in which the relatively weak or unessential are eliminated

shake out

2 of 2

verb

shook out; shaken out; shaking out; shakes out

intransitive verb

: to prove to be in the end : turn out
wait to see how things shake out

Examples of shakeout in a Sentence

Verb after hearing about all the elaborate planning, I can't wait to see how that wedding shakes out
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
This was followed by a management shakeout in the U.S. and Europe, and a profit warning at the end of last month. Neil Winton, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 Clearly, there are some steps left to go in legacy media’s shakeout during the months ahead, following an eventful summer. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
Verb
The drama, of course, hinges on how all the coalitions and the maneuvers will shake out and who will ultimately be elected. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024 Bo Byram was traded, and his replacement, Sean Walker, is also gone, so there’s more questions about how the third pairing will shake out. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shakeout 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shakeout was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near shakeout

Cite this Entry

“Shakeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shakeout. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!