lookout

¹

[look-out]

noun

1. the act of looking out or keeping watch.

2. a watch kept, as for something that may happen.

3. a person or group keeping a watch.

   Synonyms: guard, patrol, sentry, sentinel

4. a station or place from which a watch is kept.

5. an object of care or concern.

   That's not my lookout.

6. tailpiece.

7. Chiefly British.,  view; prospect; outlook.

   The business lookout is far from optimistic.

Lookout

²

[look-out]

noun

1. Cape Lookout, a sandy reef in the Outer Banks, off eastern North Carolina, southwest of Cape Hatteras: known for its lighthouse.

lookout

/ ˈlʊkˌaʊt /

noun

1. the act of keeping watch against danger, etc

2. a person or persons instructed or employed to keep such a watch, esp on a ship

3. a strategic point from which a watch is kept

4. informal,  worry or concern

   that's his lookout

5. outlook, chances, or view

verb

1. to heed one's behaviour; be careful

   look out for the children's health

2. to be on the watch

   look out for my mother at the station

3. (tr) to search for and find

   I'll look out some curtains for your new house

4. to face in a particular direction

   the house looks out over the moor

Word History and Origins

Origin of lookout¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; noun use of verb phrase look out

Idioms and Phrases

see keep an eye out for (sharp lookout); on the lookout. Also see entries beginning with look out.

Example Sentences

The company has been on the lookout for potential targets, but a challenging market and the splintered fresh food space made it hard to find the right ones, according to Chief Financial Officer Anthony Gruber.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

As a survival tip, Alferov advised keeping a lookout for birds.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Among items retrieved and lifted with air bags were the ship's lookout bell, a portside navigation lamp, binoculars, ceramic tiles from Turkish baths, and equipment from first- and second-class cabins.

Read more on BBC

Britain's marine safety body has called for a "radical rethink" over the use of ship lookouts "in the digital age" following a fatal collision in the North Sea and three other incidents.

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"Fear is natural," Brahim had told me, looking up at the ridge where tarpaulin flapped at the settlers' lookout post in front of a few caravans and makeshift homes.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• sentry