rout Definition
- 1a disorderly retreat of defeated troops
- 2a decisive defeat
- 3a disorderly or tumultuous crowd of people
- 4to defeat and cause to retreat in disorder
- 5to dig up (roots) with the snout
Using rout: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "rout" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The army was in full rout.
Example
The team suffered a humiliating rout in the championship game.
Example
The protesters were dispersed by a police rout.
Example
The pigs were routing around in the mud.
rout Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with rout
Example
The police finally routed out the criminal from his hideout.
Example
Living alone for the first time can be a difficult but important rout of passage for many young adults.
Example
The new software has helped us rout the problem of slow internet speeds.
Origins of rout
from Middle English 'route', meaning 'a band of soldiers', from Old French 'route', meaning 'road, troop'
Summary: rout in Brief
The term 'rout' [raut] refers to a disorderly retreat of defeated troops or a decisive defeat. It can also describe a disorderly or tumultuous crowd of people. As a verb, it means to defeat and cause to retreat in disorder or to dig up roots with the snout. Examples include 'The army was in full rout,' and 'The pigs were routing around in the mud.' Phrases like 'rout out' mean to force someone to leave a place or hiding place, while 'rout of passage' describes an experience that is necessary for personal growth or development.