shutout

1 of 2

noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t 

1

: a game or contest in which one side fails to score

2

: a preemptive bid in bridge

shut out

2 of 2

verb

shut out; shutting out; shuts out

transitive verb

1

: exclude

2

: to prevent (an opponent) from scoring in a game or contest

3

: to forestall the bidding of (bridge opponents) by making a high or preemptive bid

Synonyms

Verb

• ban
• bar
• close out
• count (out)
• debar
• eliminate
• except
• exclude
• freeze out
• rule out

Examples of shutout in a Sentence

Noun

They beat us in a 9–0 shutout.

Verb

local residents feel that they have been shut out of the debate for expanding the airport

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Game 3 of the 2017 AL Division Series, Carrasco threw 5.2 shutout innings against the Yankees, a game the Yankees ultimately won 1-0 to stave off elimination down 2-0 in the best-of-five series. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025

There wasn't a dry eye in Montréal after Wild goalie Marc-André Fleury earned a shutout win in his final game in his home province. —Axios Twin Cities, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025

Verb

Despite scoring a Golden Globe nom for director Payal Kapadia, the film was shut out at last week’s Oscar nominations. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2025

Refugees shut out of Sacramento region as Donald Trump order halts US resettlement, via Sharon Bernstein. —Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shutout

1 of 2 noun

shut·​out ˈshət-ˌau̇t 

: a game in which one side fails to score

shut out

2 of 2 verb

ˌshət-ˈau̇t

1

: to keep something out : exclude

2

: to keep an opponent from scoring in a game