shut·out
ˈshət-ˌau̇t 
1
: a game or contest in which one side fails to score
2
: a preemptive bid in bridge
shut out; shutting out; shuts out
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
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
ABC News, 24 May 2026
In the five shutout innings to follow, Roden gave up only one hit while striking out three.
—Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
Even then, they’re often shut out.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutout
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Noun
After New York's Ryan Weathers and Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen each pitched seven shutout innings, Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger made a key defensive play with two outs in the eighth.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
In the five shutout innings to follow, Roden gave up only one hit while striking out three.
—Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
Verb
Ayala shut out Orange Lutheran 3-0 in a CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinal playoff game at Hart Park.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
Even then, they’re often shut out.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutout
Cite this Entry
“Shutout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutout. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shutout
1 of 2 noun
shut·out
ˈshət-ˌau̇t
: a game in which one side fails to score
shut out
2 of 2 verbˌshət-ˈau̇t
1
: to keep something out : exclude
2
: to keep an opponent from scoring in a game
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