bout

noun

ˈbau̇t 

: 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

Synonyms of bout

• tournament
• competition
• event
• game
• match
• contest

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

The accident also caused other issues, including her short-term memory and balance, and led to a bout of depression. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 May 2026

If your ideal holiday involves being pampered at a spa in between bouts of sun-tanning on the beach then this resort should be your holy grail. —Ann Lee, TheWeek, 30 Apr. 2026

Investors have readily absorbed the supply of bonds from these companies — even during bouts of volatility tied to the conflict in Iran — underscoring relentless demand for exposure to the artificial intelligence boom. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026

The injury was concerning given Hart endured a bout with lower back spasms during the Knicks’ preseason opener in Abu Dhabi in October. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for bout

• clout
• doubt
• drought
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout
• scout

Kids Definition

bout

noun

ˈbau̇t 

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