washout Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the channel or break produced by erosion of relatively soft soil by water
    • it was several days after the storm before they could repair the washout and open the road
  2. noun the erosive process of washing away soil or gravel by water (as from a roadway)
    wash.
    • from the house they watched the washout of their newly seeded lawn by the water
  3. noun someone who is unsuccessful
    flop; dud.

WordNet


Wash"out` noun
Definitions
  1. The washing out or away of earth, etc., especially of a portion of the bed of a road or railroad by a fall of rain or a freshet; also, a place, especially in the bed of a road or railroad, where the earth has been washed away.

Webster 1913