rout
1a defeat attended with disorderly flight; dispersal of a defeated force in complete disorder: to put an army to rout; to put reason to rout.
any overwhelming defeat: a rout of the home team by the state champions.
a tumultuous or disorderly crowd of persons.
the rabble or mob.
Law. a disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons acting together in a manner that suggests an intention to riot although they do not actually carry out the intention.
a large, formal evening party or social gathering.
Archaic. a company or band of people.
to disperse in defeat and disorderly flight: to rout an army.
to defeat decisively: to rout an opponent in conversation.
Origin of rout
1Other words for rout
Words that may be confused with rout
Other definitions for rout (2 of 4)
to root: pigs routing in the garden.
to poke, search, or rummage.
to turn over or dig up (something) with the snout.
to find or get by searching, rummaging, etc. (usually followed by out).
to cause to rise from bed (often followed by up or out).
to force or drive out.
to hollow out or furrow, as with a scoop, gouge, or machine.
Origin of rout
2Other definitions for rout (3 of 4)
to snore.
Origin of rout
3Other definitions for rout (4 of 4)
to bellow; roar.
a bellow.
Origin of rout
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rout in a sentence
In town, he patronised the countess' routs, and in the country he was a companion for the earl, when not otherwise engaged.
They come into position and open a most destructive fire which completely routs the enemy.
Nurse and Spy in the Union Army | S. Emma E. EdmondsI attended some of the routs and parties, to all of which, as a young colonial gentleman of wealth and family, I was made welcome.
Richard Carvel, Complete | Winston ChurchillTrue, I shall miss the routs, the life at court, the plays and the gaming.
The Grey Cloak | Harold MacGrathYork found himself practically a prisoner, and only won his release by an oath to refrain from further "routs" or assemblies.
History of the English People, Volume III (of 8) | John Richard Green
British Dictionary definitions for rout (1 of 2)
/ (raʊt) /
an overwhelming defeat
a disorderly retreat
a noisy rabble
law a group of three or more people proceeding to commit an illegal act
archaic a large party or social gathering
(tr) to defeat and cause to flee in confusion
Origin of rout
1British Dictionary definitions for rout (2 of 2)
/ (raʊt) /
to dig over or turn up (something), esp (of an animal) with the snout; root
(tr ; usually foll by out or up) to get or find by searching
(tr usually foll by out) to force or drive out: they routed him out of bed at midnight
(tr often foll by out) to hollow or gouge out
(intr) to search, poke, or rummage
Origin of rout
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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