washout

[wosh-out, wawsh-]

noun

1. a washing out of earth, gravel, etc., by water, as from an embankment or a roadway by heavy rain or by a flash flood.

2. the hole, break, or erosion produced by such a washing out.

3. Aeronautics.,  Also wash-out a warp in an airfoil that gives a decrease in the angle of attack toward the tip.

4. rainout.

5. Informal.,  an utter failure.

6. Informal.,  a person who has failed a course of training or study.

   air force washouts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of washout¹

First recorded in 1870–75; noun use of verb phrase wash out

Example Sentences

The stock market is likely “closer to the bottom,” after Thursday’s washout, and investors should buy the dip, says Wall Street’s prescient and biggest bull, Tom Lee.

Read more on MarketWatch

Seven-time champions Australia come into the match with six wins in their seven league games, the other being a washout.

Read more on Barron's

They were 78-5 and 78-7 against Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively, the tournament's bottom two teams, with an edgy win and a washout papering over concerning cracks.

Read more on BBC

Seven-time champions Australia won six of their seven league matches to underline why they are the team to beat in the 50-over tournament, the other game being a washout.

Read more on Barron's

Broad took his 600th Test wicket at Old Trafford but the washout, which ended the chance of winning the urn, was "the worst feeling in sport".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• disaster 
• fiasco