shootout

[ shoot-out ]

noun

1. a gunfight that must end in defeat for one side or the other, as between gunfighters in the Old West, criminal groups, or law-enforcement officers and criminals.
2. Slang. any military conflict or skirmish.
3. Slang. a high-scoring or intensely played game or tournament, as of basketball or ice hockey.
4. Soccer. a method of breaking a tie score at the end of overtime in which five players from each team alternate shooting at the opponent's goal, starting from a spot 35 yards (39 meters) from the goal line, in an attempt to kick the ball past the rival goalkeeper in under five seconds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shootout¹

1945–50; noun use of verb phrase shoot ( it ) out to settle a dispute with firearms

Example Sentences

Kelleher has the club record for penalty shootout saves as well - stopping six kicks in four Carabao Cup shootouts.

From BBC

Leeds United winger James missed the decisive spot-kick as Wales were beaten by Poland in a shootout in March to miss out on qualification for Euro 2024.

From BBC

“It was a shootout, and they had the ball last,” Notre Dame coach Evan Yabu said.

From Los Angeles Times

Two Los Angeles police officers were wounded and a suspect was taken into custody Friday night after a shootout that erupted in South L.A. while officers were investigating a possible robbery, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

A Southeast officer was wounded in another police shootout in the division area in July, during which a man allegedly opened fire on a police squad with a machine gun.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bout