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
Noun
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 Now, many say, all that expansion is setting the stage for a shakeout. Robert Frank, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2024
Verb
As Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump prepare to face off on the debate stage in Philadelphia later this evening, take a look at how the 2020 race shook out along with some background on the Electoral College. – Elizabeth Beyer Where is the debate? Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2024 Loading your audio article From undecided voters to just how the election will shake out, the uncertainty that still permeates this election cycle was something to be embraced at a nonprofit cinema in Santa Ana on Tuesday night. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shakeout 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shakeout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Sep. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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