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

Example Sentences

Yes, for takeout, but someone’s like, “I once ordered a veil on DoorDash two hours before my wedding.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

We have a whole system with Din Tai Fung now, which is logging in on the wait list while we’re still on the highway, or ordering takeout.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

And if the choice is between chopping onions from scratch and ordering takeout, or opening a bag and making soup, the bag wins.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

Edin failed to pull off a high-tarriff double takeout in the first end, allowing Mouat to claim two points and establish a lead that the GB rink would keep throughout.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

Beatrice worked a night shift, folding cardboard at a packaging factory that made boxes for takeout pizza chains.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John