keep out
phrasal verb
kept out; keeping out; keeps out
1
: to not enter a place
The sign on the door said "Keep out!"
2
: to stop or prevent (someone or something) from entering a place
The curtains help keep out the drafts.
Examples of keep out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jurors saw these messages, plus a text message from that same day that the defense tried to keep out of trial, but Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews let it in.
—
Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 12 June 2024
Zachary and Gregory, Nicola’s younger twin brothers, are ice hockey players who prefer to keep out of the spotlight.
—Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024
In Helmand, where the Marines tried to keep out abusive strongmen, the government’s defense was disastrously weak and uncoordinated.
—Matthieu Aikins Victor J. Blue Peter Ganim Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 22 May 2024
And many of those who survived found their lives blighted: heads of families faced immense medical bills, while their children were kept out of school for 18 months.
—Arvind Subramanian, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
In Washoe County, federal funds are being used or sought to add electric-vehicle charging stations and to shore up window insulation to keep out hot air.
—Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 May 2024
Another kitchen staple, this Dutch oven comes in 10 bold colors that are gorgeous enough to keep out on the stove every day.
—Amber C. Snider, Peoplemag, 25 May 2024
Sriram considered changing the locks to keep out Jarzabek and the Airbnb guests altogether, but that would’ve been a violation of the lease, opening her up to damages.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
Pearl Seaton taught us all about how the dreamcatchers help bring in the good dreams and keep out the bad.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 23 May 2024
Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 12 June 2024
Zachary and Gregory, Nicola’s younger twin brothers, are ice hockey players who prefer to keep out of the spotlight.
—Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024
In Helmand, where the Marines tried to keep out abusive strongmen, the government’s defense was disastrously weak and uncoordinated.
—Matthieu Aikins Victor J. Blue Peter Ganim Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 22 May 2024
And many of those who survived found their lives blighted: heads of families faced immense medical bills, while their children were kept out of school for 18 months.
—Arvind Subramanian, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
In Washoe County, federal funds are being used or sought to add electric-vehicle charging stations and to shore up window insulation to keep out hot air.
—Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 May 2024
Another kitchen staple, this Dutch oven comes in 10 bold colors that are gorgeous enough to keep out on the stove every day.
—Amber C. Snider, Peoplemag, 25 May 2024
Sriram considered changing the locks to keep out Jarzabek and the Airbnb guests altogether, but that would’ve been a violation of the lease, opening her up to damages.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
Pearl Seaton taught us all about how the dreamcatchers help bring in the good dreams and keep out the bad.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 23 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keep out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near keep out
Cite this Entry
“Keep out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20out. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share