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
Synonyms
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
Staff and Wire Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2024
But Stone’s drop-off has undercut any further stability from the starting rotation -- one that has the second-worst ERA (5.88) and fewest total innings (127) in the majors since Stone’s shutout on June 26.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2024
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2024
Democrats are still fighting to avoid being shut out of the race for Washington's public lands commissioner, more than a week after the Aug. 6 primary election.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shutout 
Noun
Two judges scored it a shutout: Dunar Cem (Netherlands) sided with Muydinkhujaev while Abalos Maximo (Philippines) chose Jones by 30-27 scores.
—Staff and Wire Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2024
But Stone’s drop-off has undercut any further stability from the starting rotation -- one that has the second-worst ERA (5.88) and fewest total innings (127) in the majors since Stone’s shutout on June 26.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2024
Verb
The Braves are 15-3 against Colorado since the start of the 2022 season, and Colorado was shut out for the 14th time this season.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2024
Democrats are still fighting to avoid being shut out of the race for Washington's public lands commissioner, more than a week after the Aug. 6 primary election.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shutout
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shutout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shutout
Cite this Entry
“Shutout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutout. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
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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