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

Wolves pitched the shutout despite trailing 10-8 in total shots and possessing the ball for just 31% of the match. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025

Sophomore Torry Franz and Gabriel Hermosillo each took a half in goal for M-A and combined for the shutout. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025

Verb

Officials were given hours to fire hundreds of employees, and workers were shut out of email as termination notices arrived. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025

The Sacramento Kings may not have any players representing the franchise at the NBA’s annual All-Star festivities this coming weekend in San Francisco, effectively shut out of the midseason showcase for the first time in more than a decade. —Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 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