blowout

American  

[bloh-out] / ˈbloʊˌaʊt /

noun

blowouts plural

1. a sudden bursting or rupture of an automobile tire.

2. a sudden or violent escape of air, steam, or the like.

3. a hollow formed in a region of shifting sands or light soil by the action of the wind.

4. an uncontrollable escape of oil, gas, or water from a well.

5. a service at a hair salon in which the hair is blow-dried and styled.

6. Aeronautics. flame-out.

7. Slang. a lavish party or entertainment.

8. Slang. a decisive victory or defeat.

9.  blowout sale.  Slang. a sale featuring very large discounts.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• blowouts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of blowout

First recorded in 1815–25; noun use of verb phrase blow out

Explanation

When something stops working or breaks down, you can call it a blowout. The blowout of a city's electrical system can be a particularly big problem. A blowout most often involves air or gas pressure — a blowout when you're driving on the highway is a popped tire. You can also use the word to mean a really easy victory in sports, like your favorite football team's blowout victory over its rival. Yet another meaning of blowout is a fabulous party: "Let's have a blowout to celebrate your twenty-first birthday!" The original, colloquial American meaning of blowout was "outburst," or what might today be called a "blow up."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blowout blowouts

In what is likely the most watched soccer match in the country’s history, they flamed out in epic fashion with a blowout defeat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

The stock soared to $1,213 per share following blowout earnings on June 25, but closed at $975 on Thursday.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 3, 2026

Jota, 28, was on his way back to Liverpool for pre-season when the car, a Lamborghini, left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

Not even a blowout quarter and 15% stock pop from Micron could save the sour mood last week.

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

She can let it air dry and wear it wavy, or she can give it a quick blowout and then it’s straight and smooth all day.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

New York’s Citi Field has weathered its share of away-team blowouts over the years, but the crowd gathered on a brisk Sunday last fall was not prepared for the upset awaiting them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026

This past summer Wi Spa also opened a salon for blowouts, called Root Style Bar, adjacent to its women’s dressing room.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026

What might matter is that while UConn and South Carolina, Texas and LSU delivered their best spirit- and soul- and confidence-crushing blowouts, the Lancers and the Cowgirls left Pauley Pavilion feeling good about themselves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2026

All three of the Lakers’ most recent losses have been blowouts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 26, 2025

They had had seven blowouts on the way.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

Related Words

• eruption
• rupture