shootout
Americannoun
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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.
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Slang. any military conflict or skirmish.
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Slang. a high-scoring or intensely played game or tournament, as of basketball or ice hockey.
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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.
Etymology
Origin of shootout
1945–50; noun use of verb phrase shoot ( it ) out to settle a dispute with firearms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A seam shootout was apparent, yet few would have predicted what transpired over the following two days.
From BBC
The 272nd and final regular season game turned into a classic, but not quite the street fight we usually expect between the Ravens and Steelers as an offensive shootout broke out in Pittsburgh.
From BBC
In the Scottish Cup final, Aberdeen forced extra time after training at the break and won through in the shootout to seal a Europa League qualifying berth.
From BBC
A further two matches went to penalty shootouts and Ivory Coast won both.
From Barron's
Another two meetings went to penalty shootouts with each nation winning one.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
