: a spell or period of activity: such as
a
: an athletic match (as of boxing)
lost his bout with the champion
b
: outbreak, attack
a bout of pneumonia
frequent bouts of depression
survived her bout with cancer
c
: session
a drinking bout
a bout of unemployment

Examples of bout in a Sentence

undoubtedly the team's best wrestler, he hasn't lost a bout yet she's currently suffering from a bout of the flu
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In September 2019, Poirier faced Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 Just four days after the bout, Chavez Jr. was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025 His bout against Paul was a major sporting event, setting a record for the largest boxing gate in Honda Center history. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025 Chávez had fought just once since 2021 before his bout with Paul, having fallen to innumerable lows during a lengthy boxing career conducted in the shadow of his father, one of the most beloved athletes in Mexican history. Jaimie Ding, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bout

Word History

Etymology

English dialect, a trip going and returning in plowing, from Middle English bought bend

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bout was in 1575

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/dictionary/bout. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

bout

noun
1
: a spell of activity
nonstop bout of reading
2
: an athletic match
wrestling bout
3
: attack entry 2 sense 3
a bout of measles

More from Merriam-Webster on bout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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