Rout Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of ROUT

1

[count]

:

a game or contest in which the winner easily defeats the loser by a large amount

• The game turned into a rout in the second half.
• After they scored their fourth goal, the rout was on. [=the game became a rout]

2

:

a confused and disorderly retreat from a place

[count]

— usually singular

• the attack and the rout that followed

[noncount]

• They put the enemy to rout. [=they forced the enemy to run away]

Britannica Dictionary definition of ROUT

[+ object]

1

:

to defeat (someone) easily and completely in a game or contest

• The reigning champion routed the contender.
• The Nationalist party was routed in the polls.

2

:

to force (someone or something) to move from a place

• The army routed the enemy from their stronghold.

— often + out

• People were routed out of their homes by the soldiers.