drop·out
ˈdräp-ˌau̇t 
1
a
: one who drops out of school
b
: one who drops out of conventional society
c
: one who abandons an attempt, activity, or chosen path
a corporate dropout
2
: a momentary defect on a magnetic tape or disk caused by a temporary loss of signal
dropped out; dropping out; drops out
: to withdraw from participation or membership : quit
especially
: to withdraw from conventional society
Examples of dropout in a Sentence
Noun
The program is designed for dropouts who wish to get high school equivalency certificates.
Recent Examples on the Web
Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Around 39% of US college students end up dropping out, and, among dropouts, 30% say that the school or program was not the right fit for them.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
After a hectic day of teams dropping out of the Sasaki sweepstakes like flies, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the Japanese phenom was left choosing between three powerhouse teams.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dropout 
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Noun
Her mother, a high-school dropout, had given birth to her at the age of eighteen, and Boebert never knew her biological father.
—Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Around 39% of US college students end up dropping out, and, among dropouts, 30% say that the school or program was not the right fit for them.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Dallas area has dropped out of the nonprofit Milken Institute's annual list of the top 10 best economically performing cities.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
After a hectic day of teams dropping out of the Sasaki sweepstakes like flies, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the Japanese phenom was left choosing between three powerhouse teams.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dropout
Dictionary Entries Near dropout
Cite this Entry
“Dropout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dropout. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dropout
1 of 2 noun
drop·out
ˈdräp-ˌau̇t
: a person who drops out especially from a school or a training program
drop out
2 of 2 verb
: to withdraw from taking part or membership : quit
dropped out of school
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