burn·out
ˈbərn-ˌau̇t 
1
: the cessation of operation usually of a jet or rocket engine
also
: the point at which burnout occurs
2
a
: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration
b
: a person suffering from burnout
3
: a person showing the effects of drug abuse
burned out or burnt out; burning out; burns out
1
: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire
2
: to cause to fail, wear out, or become exhausted especially from overwork or overuse
: to suffer burnout
Synonyms
Examples of burnout in a Sentence
Noun
Teaching can be very stressful, and many teachers eventually suffer burnout.
the burnout rate among teachers
a novel about academic burnouts
Verb
working 12-hour days at that job just burned me out
Recent Examples on the Web
David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The video is likely to pop up in the TikTok or Instagram Reel feeds of fans, many of whom might find Eminem’s palpable sense of burnout relatable and his words, therefore, more credible.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2024
Neena Newberry, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The air became thick with white smoke as people burned out their tires while stuck in traffic or fired off bottle rockets from the back of trucks.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for burnout 
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Noun
According to the Harvard Business Review, commuting forces more structure into a person's daily routine and allows workers to set boundaries between their work and being at home, which can reportedly reduce burnout.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The video is likely to pop up in the TikTok or Instagram Reel feeds of fans, many of whom might find Eminem’s palpable sense of burnout relatable and his words, therefore, more credible.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
After the past few turbulent years, managers are burning out at alarming rates.
—Neena Newberry, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The air became thick with white smoke as people burned out their tires while stuck in traffic or fired off bottle rockets from the back of trucks.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for burnout
Dictionary Entries Near burnout
Cite this Entry
“Burnout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burnout. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
burnout
1 of 2 noun
burn·out
ˈbər-ˌnau̇t
1
: the ending of operation of a jet or rocket engine as a result of the using up or shutting off of fuel
2
: the point in a flight at which burnout occurs
3
: exhaustion of one's bodily or mental strength
burn out
2 of 2 verb1
: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire
2
: to cause to wear out or become exhausted
Medical Definition
burnout
noun
burn·out
ˈbərn-ˌau̇t
1
a
: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration
b
: a person affected with burnout
2
: a person showing the effects of drug abuse
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