takeout

or take-out

[ teyk-out ]

noun

1. the act or fact of taking out.
2. something made to be taken out, especially food prepared in a store or restaurant to be carried out for consumption elsewhere.
3. Informal. a store, restaurant, or counter specializing in preparing food meant to be carried out for consumption elsewhere.
4. a section, as of a magazine, that may be removed intact, usually consisting of a story, article, or set of illustrations.
5. Also called takedown, Finance. a long-term real-estate mortgage arranged for a building the construction of which is financed by an interim short-term loan construction loan.
6. Cards.
   1. Bridge. a bid in a suit or denomination different from the one bid by one's partner.
   2. Poker. the minimum with which a player can begin.

adjective

1. pertaining to or supplying food and drink to be taken out and consumed elsewhere:

   the takeout window of a restaurant.

2. Also of, relating to, or providing a takeout mortgage:

   The high-rise developer has found a takeout commitment from a large insurance company.

Word History and Origins

Origin of takeout¹

First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase take out

Example Sentences

Igor is entrusted with bringing Ani back to Ivan’s mansion to collect her things, where the two of them spend the night eating takeout and watching television.

From Salon

On the shelves and tables in the studio are piles of Talenti gelato jars and takeout boxes filled with color powders and mixtures.

From Los Angeles Times

We work on projects such as getting reusable takeout containers in dining halls, ensuring ongoing campus construction is adhering to green practices, and creating a central physical space where sustainability-minded students can gather.

From Los Angeles Times

New York City, the city that never sleeps, is also an incredibly hard place to take a break — if your job is jetting across town on a bike delivering takeout and groceries.

From Salon

An aggressively flatulent vision of undarned socks, rumpled shirts and unspeakably greasy trench coat, Lamb is invariably surrounded by whiskey bottles and the moldering remnants of Chinese takeout.

From Los Angeles Times