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shutout

American  
[shuht-out] / ˈʃʌtˌaʊt /

noun

  1. an act or instance of shutting out.

  2. the state of being shut out.

  3. Sports.

    1. a preventing of the opposite side from scoring, as in baseball.

    2. any game in which one side does not score.


shutout British  
/ ˈʃʌtˌaʊt /

noun

  1. a less common word for a lockout See lock out

  2. sport a game in which the opposing team does not score

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to keep out or exclude

  2. to conceal from sight

    we planted trees to shut out the view of the road

  3. to prevent (an opponent) from scoring

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of shutout

1850–55, noun use of verb phrase shut out

Vocabulary lists containing shutout

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.

See Examples For:

Blake Snell tossed six shutout innings, navigating the traffic of five hits and two walks while allowing only one baserunner past second base.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 5, 2026

He started against the Cleveland Guardians, never topped 91 mph and worked two shutout innings.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 20, 2026

The most glaring example came against the Cardinals in early May, when he threw six shutout innings without recording a punch out.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 13, 2026

Mexico City is celebrating again after the Mexican national team defeated Ecuador 2-0 Tuesday night, its fourth straight World Cup shutout win.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 1, 2026

Bobby defeated him in six straight games, the first shutout of a grandmaster in chess history.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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