shootout

[shoot-out]

noun

1. a gunfight that must end in defeat for one side or the other, as between gunfighters in the Old West, criminal groups, or law-enforcement officers and criminals.

2. Slang.,  any military conflict or skirmish.

3. Slang.,  a high-scoring or intensely played game or tournament, as of basketball or ice hockey.

4. Soccer.,  a method of breaking a tie score at the end of overtime in which five players from each team alternate shooting at the opponent's goal, starting from a spot 35 yards (39 meters) from the goal line, in an attempt to kick the ball past the rival goalkeeper in under five seconds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shootout¹

1945–50; noun use of verb phrase shoot ( it ) out to settle a dispute with firearms

Example Sentences

Two hours later he left, carrying the sting of a Ducks’ victory that saw his old team rally from deficits three times before winning the first rivalry game of the season 5-4 in a shootout.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And after becoming England's first choice goalkeeper, the 25-year-old saved two penalties in a shootout in the final against Spain, as the Lionesses won Euro 2025.

Read more on BBC

As Slovenia and Sweden endured torrid campaigns, with both failing to win a qualifying match, Group B was a straight shootout between Switzerland and Kosovo.

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Nigeria's football coach has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of practising "voodoo" after his squad's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup ended in a penalty shootout loss.

Read more on Barron's

The country is still one of the safest in Latin America but recent shootouts in broad daylight and violent robberies, long a reality in Mexico, Brazil and other countries, have shocked voters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bout