# rout

/ˈɹaʊt/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rout
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a total and messy defeat. It describes a situation where one side loses so badly that they run away in confusion.

For teachers: a decisive and humiliating defeat, typically resulting in a disorderly retreat of the vanquished party.

## Examples

- The championship game turned into a complete rout by the second half.
- What began as a close political race ended in a rout, with the incumbent losing every single district.
- The military historian argued that the initial skirmish was manageable, but poor communication among the officers turned a tactical withdrawal into a panicked rout.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the verbs 'turn into' or 'end in'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.