takeout

or take-out

[ teyk-out ]

noun

1. the act or fact of taking out.
2. something made to be taken out, especially food prepared in a store or restaurant to be carried out for consumption elsewhere.
3. Informal. a store, restaurant, or counter specializing in preparing food meant to be carried out for consumption elsewhere.
4. a section, as of a magazine, that may be removed intact, usually consisting of a story, article, or set of illustrations.
5. Also called takedown, Finance. a long-term real-estate mortgage arranged for a building the construction of which is financed by an interim short-term loan construction loan.
6. Cards.
   1. Bridge. a bid in a suit or denomination different from the one bid by one's partner.
   2. Poker. the minimum with which a player can begin.

adjective

1. pertaining to or supplying food and drink to be taken out and consumed elsewhere:

   the takeout window of a restaurant.

2. Also of, relating to, or providing a takeout mortgage:

   The high-rise developer has found a takeout commitment from a large insurance company.

Word History and Origins

Origin of takeout¹

First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase take out

Example Sentences

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant was closed for dine-in, but their takeout service was flawless.

From Washington Post

Outdoor restaurant dining may still be too risky with new virus variants, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get takeout, go to the park, and see people.

From Eater

Delivery, takeout options and outdoor dining options are highlighted on each map point.

From Eater

Now that vaccines for the coronavirus are available, we can anticipate some sort of “new normal,” including dining in restaurants rather than “streateries” or eating takeout food at home.

From Washington Post

The pair reopened the restaurant in early May, offering takeout for the first time — but only to guests who ordered ahead online.

From Eater

One donor complains about the takeout chicken pot pies served at a Karl Rove-hosted confab.

From The Daily Beast

The typical American eats takeout breakfast in his car about eight times per year.

From The Daily Beast

Plastic-foam containers are used for everything from awful conference room coffee to Chinese takeout.

From The Daily Beast

In Manhattan, where I grew up, people seemed to eat a lot of takeout, or prepared foods from places like Zabars and Fairway.

From The Daily Beast

I added some left-over roast brisket and a scoop of Chinese takeout rice, two favorites.

From The Daily Beast