bout

American  

[bout] / baʊt /

noun

1. a contest or trial of strength, as of boxing.

   Synonyms:

   encounter, fray, match

2. period; session; spell.

   a bout of illness.

3. a turn at work or any action.

4. a going and returning across a field, as in mowing or reaping.

---

bout British  

/ baʊt /

noun

1. 1. a period of time spent doing something, such as drinking

   2. a period of illness

2. a contest or fight, esp a boxing or wrestling match

---

Etymology

Origin of bout

1535–45; variant of obsolete bought bend, turn, derivative of bow bow ¹; bight

Example Sentences

Ms. Back has struggled with cyclical bouts of depression since becoming a mother, but she explains that her depression didn’t begin immediately postpartum.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the new year his bouts of illness became more frequent, and the day came when he could not go to the farm anymore.

From Literature

“Market deficits and declining inventories imply that the silver market is now increasingly vulnerable to periods of strong investment demand, which in turn could lead to bouts of liquidity tightness,” UBS says.

From The Wall Street Journal

If it persists, the dollar’s recent bout of weakness could push inflation even lower, both by reducing prices of imported goods and services, and by weakening demand for eurozone exports.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fortunately, if you are not currently moving much, adding in just three or four bouts of intense movement, lasting one or two minutes each, can make a big difference to heart disease and life expectancy.

From BBC

Related Words

• battle
• boxing match
• competition
• contest
• encounter
• match
• round
• struggle