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

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".

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A lengthy downpour 12 overs into the match had looked set to result in a fourth washout at R Premadasa Stadium but the rain stopped just in time for a 20-over contest to take place.

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There's going to be a washout somewhere, generally Sydney.

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They now have three defeats from three at this World Cup while Australia go top of the standings with a second win to go with a washout.

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"The quarter that we are talking about, we had a very early summer and often that period can be a complete washout," he said.

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Related Words

• disaster 
• fiasco