blowout

American  

[bloh-aut] / 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

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Etymology

Origin of blowout

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

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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

Hopes for blowout third-quarter earnings are one of the biggest things the market has going for it right now — and they’re about to be put to the test.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 11, 2026

“We’re into the realm where earnings durability is driving shares higher, rather than any single set of blowout results.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

And the excitement, even at the end of a blowout loss, is genuine, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026

His team plays host to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and oddsmakers see a blowout in the making.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026

She comes in once a month, like clockwork, for a trim and blowout.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

And even when there have been blowouts or tense draws, they have still been entertaining.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

That adds up to a margin of 119 points over just three games, the largest trifecta of blowouts ever recorded in the postseason.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 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

Kershaw might be needed beyond the role he was promised: save the team from using the current major league pitchers in blowouts or extra innings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026

They had had seven blowouts on the way.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

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Related Words

• eruption
• rupture

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