Dictionary.com

strikeout

[ strahyk-out ]
/ ˈstraɪkˌaʊt /
Save This Word!

noun Baseball.
an out made by a batter to whom three strikes have been charged, or as recorded by the pitcher who accomplishes this.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of strikeout

1885–90, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase strike out
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use strikeout in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for strikeout

strike out

verb (adverb)
(tr) to remove or erase
(intr) to start out or beginto strike out on one's own
baseball to put out or be put out on strikes
(intr) US and Canadian informal to fail utterly
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

Other Idioms and Phrases with strikeout

strike out

1

Cancel or erase, as in Strike out that last sentence, please. [Early 1500s]

2

Begin a course of action, set out energetically, as in Elaine was determined to strike out on her own. [Early 1700s]

3

Fail in an endeavor, as in His latest business venture has struck out. This usage originated in baseball, where it refers to a batter's failure to put the ball in play (Williams struck out three times in yesterday's game), as well as to a pitcher's success in eliminating a batter (Clemens struck him out again in the fourth inning). [Late 1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
FEEDBACK