1
: a periodic and often annually recurring state of certain male animals (such as deer or elk) during which behavior associated with the urge to breed is displayed
2
: the period of time during which rut occurs : breeding season
Synonyms
Examples of rut in a Sentence
Noun (2)
I've fallen into a rut, watching television and then going to bed every night
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Milwaukee has both the talent and experience to dig out of this early rut.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Strong calved riders pedaled thin wheeled cycles over potholed, rutted and mucky farm roads.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rut 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Best rut stand #5: A creek or shallow river crossing pocked with fresh tracks in brushy woods.
—Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Milwaukee has both the talent and experience to dig out of this early rut.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Black hocks from a buck that has rutted for weeks reek the best.
—Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Strong calved riders pedaled thin wheeled cycles over potholed, rutted and mucky farm roads.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rut
Dictionary Entries Near rut
Cite this Entry
“Rut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rut. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rut
1 of 4 noun1
: a track worn by a wheel or by frequent passage
2
: a usual or fixed routine
I need a change—I'm getting in a rut
rutty
adjective
ˈrət-ē
rut
2 of 4 verb
rutted; rutting
: to make a rut in
rut
3 of 4 noun
: the period during which male animals (as elk or deer) display behavior associated with the urge to breed
rut
4 of 4 verb
rutted; rutting
: to exhibit behavior associated with the rut
—used of a male animal
Etymology
Noun
probably derived from early French route "route, way"
Noun
Middle English rutte "state of sexual excitement," from early French ruit "rut, disturbance," from Latin rugitus "roar," from earlier rugire "to roar"
Medical Definition
rut
1 of 2 noun1
: a periodic and often annually recurring state of certain male animals (such as deer or elk) during which behavior associated with the urge to breed is displayed
2
: the period of time during which rut occurs : breeding season
rut
2 of 2 intransitive verb
rutted; rutting
: to be in or enter into a state of rut
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share