strikeout: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal (failure sense), Technical (baseball, computing)
Quick answer
What does “strikeout” mean?
In baseball, an out recorded when a batter accumulates three strikes, failing to hit the ball or hitting it foul on the third strike.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In baseball, an out recorded when a batter accumulates three strikes, failing to hit the ball or hitting it foul on the third strike.
A failure or unsuccessful attempt; to fail completely or be eliminated. In computing, text formatted with a line through it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The baseball term is understood in the UK but is far less frequent. The 'failure' sense is used in both, but is more common in American English. The computing term is international.
Connotations
In the US, it carries strong cultural connotations from baseball. In the UK, it's more likely to be perceived as an Americanism, especially in the 'failure' sense.
Frequency
High frequency in US sports and business media. Low to medium frequency in UK, mostly in international business or tech contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “strikeout” in a Sentence
[Subject] struck out.[Pitcher] struck [batter] out.The proposal was a complete strikeout.Apply strikeout formatting to the text.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strikeout” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pitcher hopes to strike out the side this inning.
American English
- He struck out swinging at a curveball.
adjective
British English
- The strikeout pitch was perfectly placed.
American English
- He has a high strikeout total this season.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The new product launch was a total strikeout with consumers."
Academic
Rare, except in papers on sports economics or metaphor.
Everyday
"I tried asking three people for directions, but it was a strikeout—no one knew."
Technical
"Use the toolbar icon to apply strikeout to the selected text."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strikeout”
- Using 'strikeout' to mean a successful hit (the opposite meaning).
- Confusing the noun 'a strikeout' with the phrasal verb 'to strike out' (meaning to begin a journey).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun (the result in baseball, the failure), it is one word: 'strikeout'. The verb phrase is two words: 'strike out'.
Yes, metaphorically to mean a complete failure (e.g., 'The sales pitch was a strikeout'). It also has a specific meaning in computing for crossed-out text.
'Strikeout' is primarily a noun. 'Struck out' is the past tense of the phrasal verb 'to strike out', meaning to be called out on strikes in baseball or to fail.
This is related to the word but not the direct definition. In the 19th century, a journalist used 'K' as the last letter of 'struck' to denote a strikeout in scorekeeping, and it became standard.
In baseball, an out recorded when a batter accumulates three strikes, failing to hit the ball or hitting it foul on the third strike.
Strikeout is usually informal (failure sense), technical (baseball, computing) in register.
Strikeout: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪkaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪkˌaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Three strikes and you're out (related concept)”
- “Strike out on your own (different phrasal verb meaning)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baseball batter with three big 'K's (the scorecard symbol for a strikeout) stamped on his forehead, walking back to the bench sadly. Three strikes = OUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS A MISSED HIT IN BASEBALL (e.g., 'strike out', 'hit a home run', 'batting average').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'strikeout' LEAST likely to be used?