takeout

American  

[teyk-out] / ˈteɪkˌaʊt /

Or take-out

noun

1. the act or fact of taking out.

2. something made to be taken out, especially food prepared in a store or restaurant to be carried out for consumption elsewhere.

3. Informal. a store, restaurant, or counter specializing in preparing food meant to be carried out for consumption elsewhere.

4. a section, as of a magazine, that may be removed intact, usually consisting of a story, article, or set of illustrations.

5. Also called takeout loan,.  Also called takedown.  Also called takeout mortgage.  Finance. a long-term real-estate mortgage arranged for a building the construction of which is financed by an interim short-term loan construction loan.

6. Cards.

   1. Bridge. a bid in a suit or denomination different from the one bid by one's partner.

   2. Poker. the minimum with which a player can begin.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or supplying food and drink to be taken out and consumed elsewhere.

   the takeout window of a restaurant.

2. Also of, relating to, or providing a takeout mortgage.

   The high-rise developer has found a takeout commitment from a large insurance company.

Etymology

Origin of takeout

First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase take out

Explanation

When you order food from a restaurant but eat it at home, you can call it takeout. After a long week, you and your family might get takeout and eat it while watching a movie. You can use takeout as a noun or an adjective. All the takeout containers in your trash can may remind you that you haven't eaten homemade food in a while, but if there's an amazing Chinese restaurant in your neighborhood, it's hard to resist picking up nightly takeout. You can also use the terms carryout and takeaway, but takeout is the oldest of these, dating from around 1940.

Example Sentences

It’s known for inexpensive, cashless takeout cafes that allow for quick coffee pickups.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

Forget the takeout and pick up a few boxes, along with your favorite toppings, during your next grocery run.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

And inflation data suggests diners’ dollars aren’t stretching as far, as the cost of eating out and takeout food rose 3.6% over the past year.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

The white takeout bag was proof we had been there, in case our friends back home doubted us.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Despite my many protests of a weak stomach, Mom argued that we couldn’t afford takeout and insisted we tough it out.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas