Word
dugout
US/ˈdəˌɡaʊt/
UK/dˈʌɡaʊt/
Countable noun Sports
Definition
n. a shelter built into the ground for protection, or a low area where sports players sit during a game. You often see these in baseball or on a battlefield.
n. a shelter formed by excavating a hole in the ground or the side of a hill, typically for military protection; also refers to the sunken bench area for players in sports like baseball.
Examples
“The players sat in the dugout waiting for their turn to bat.”
“During the heavy rain, the soldiers retreated to the dugout to keep their equipment dry.”
“The manager paced the length of the dugout, nervously watching the pitcher as the bases were loaded in the final inning of the championship game.”
Examples
simple
“The players sat in the dugout waiting for their turn to bat.”
contextual
“During the heavy rain, the soldiers retreated to the dugout to keep their equipment dry.”
complex
“The manager paced the length of the dugout, nervously watching the pitcher as the bases were loaded in the final inning of the championship game.”
Usage
Commonly used in both military and sporting contexts to describe a recessed or underground shelter.
Real-World Examples
“Now the players can look to the dugout and see an authority figure.” “In the away dugout is Nuno Espírito Santo, who couldn’t quite keep West Ham up last season.” Etymology
From the verb phrase dug out.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/dugout