shootout

American  

[shoot-out] / ˈʃutˌaʊt /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of shootout

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

Example Sentences

Italy’s national soccer team failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

A penalty shootout loss at the hands of Bosnia and Herzegovina meant that while 48 countries travel to the U.S.,

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The Kings are also bucking history since 18 of their losses have come in either overtime or a shootout.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

Dagan and Michael Almog – who went on to become Israel FA chief - developed the idea of a penalty shootout before writing an official proposal to Fifa in 1969.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

And, like a grizzled extra scurrying out of the bar just before the climactic final shootout in a grade B Hollywood Western, Bud dropped a dollar onto the table and hurriedly split.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Related Words

• bout