scouted; scouting; scouts
1
: to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy)
2
a
: to make a search
b
: to work as a talent scout
1
: to observe in order to obtain information or evaluate
2
: to explore in order to obtain information
3
: to find by making a search
plural scouts
1
a
: one sent to obtain information
especially
: a soldier, ship, or plane sent out in war to reconnoiter
c
sports
(1)
: a person sent out to secure firsthand information about the style of play, tactics, and strength of a rival
(2)
: a person sent out to obtain information about players by watching them in action with a view to making recommendations about the acquisition of players
d
2
a
: the act of scouting
b
: a scouting expedition : reconnaissance
3
often capitalized
: a member of any of various scouting movements: such as
a
b
4
: individual, person
—used chiefly in the phrase good scout
scouted; scouting; scouts
1
: mock
2
: to reject scornfully
scouted his explanation as a shabby falsehood—
Mark Twain
Mark TwainSynonyms
Examples of scout in a Sentence
Noun
you're a good scout
Verb (2)
the actor's attempt to rationalize his racist comments were roundly scouted by the media
Recent Examples on the WebThe Editors, National Review, 10 May 2024
His account boasted of scouting the mall before the shooting.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2024
Kaplan and Parkins believe this reflects the broadening scope of roles within NBA organizations, stretching from data analytics to film scouting to draft preparation.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2024
When scouting out a cheetah's new best friend, zoo keepers look for playful puppies of a similar age, and have adopted dogs from the Animal Rescue Fund shelter in Amelia, Ohio.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 May 2024
Authorities paint a picture of a network of associates, some blood relatives, traveling across Europe by bus with library cards sometimes under assumed names to scout rare Russian books, make high-quality copies, then swap them for the originals, case files reviewed by The New York Times reveal.
—Rachel Donadio, New York Times, 1 May 2024
In addition to the many vivid fish species, scout out sea sponges, eels, and Goliath grouper among the corals.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
Delegates traveled to the United States to scout out flying schools that could teach young Chinese American pilots to fly for China.
—Susan Tate Ankeny, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
Jon’s commitment is basically to provide a high-end concierge service — scouting, going through any permitting issues, continuing to build out the Film Ready NJ program in communities.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2024
Holmes, a former defensive linemen with North Carolina A&T, said cornerbacks were his focus for more than a decade as a Rams cross-checker scout.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
Bean did play in the Hula Bowl, an all-star game attended by plenty of NFL pro scouts.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2024
Major League Baseball acknowledges the problem and has committed millions to providing access to higher-level scouts and coaching to Black children.
—Adam Minter, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2024
Roberts began at Big Life in 2007 as an A&R scout, bringing in artists including La Roux and the Sound of Arrows, with the latter becoming the first of many of his own management clients.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024
Also running back Frank Gore Jr., son of the former 49ers star running back and now a scout.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
To help their countrymen and the Allies defeat Hitler, to help end the war, the Allies needed the scientists to use this same work to prepare for missions to scout beaches.
—Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
The group began recruiting at the shelter and rolled out a bilingual curriculum to help scouts learn more about New York City through its monuments, subway system, and political borders.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
Why make the extra commitment to scouting or being outdoors for that?
—The Editors, National Review, 10 May 2024
His account boasted of scouting the mall before the shooting.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2024
Kaplan and Parkins believe this reflects the broadening scope of roles within NBA organizations, stretching from data analytics to film scouting to draft preparation.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2024
When scouting out a cheetah's new best friend, zoo keepers look for playful puppies of a similar age, and have adopted dogs from the Animal Rescue Fund shelter in Amelia, Ohio.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 May 2024
Authorities paint a picture of a network of associates, some blood relatives, traveling across Europe by bus with library cards sometimes under assumed names to scout rare Russian books, make high-quality copies, then swap them for the originals, case files reviewed by The New York Times reveal.
—Rachel Donadio, New York Times, 1 May 2024
In addition to the many vivid fish species, scout out sea sponges, eels, and Goliath grouper among the corals.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
Delegates traveled to the United States to scout out flying schools that could teach young Chinese American pilots to fly for China.
—Susan Tate Ankeny, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
Jon’s commitment is basically to provide a high-end concierge service — scouting, going through any permitting issues, continuing to build out the Film Ready NJ program in communities.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
Noun
So, with scouts and coaches projecting him to play to in the slot in the NFL, Smith-Wade took a crash course on the nickel position at the Senior Bowl in January.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2024
Holmes, a former defensive linemen with North Carolina A&T, said cornerbacks were his focus for more than a decade as a Rams cross-checker scout.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
Bean did play in the Hula Bowl, an all-star game attended by plenty of NFL pro scouts.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2024
Major League Baseball acknowledges the problem and has committed millions to providing access to higher-level scouts and coaching to Black children.
—Adam Minter, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2024
Roberts began at Big Life in 2007 as an A&R scout, bringing in artists including La Roux and the Sound of Arrows, with the latter becoming the first of many of his own management clients.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024
Also running back Frank Gore Jr., son of the former 49ers star running back and now a scout.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
To help their countrymen and the Allies defeat Hitler, to help end the war, the Allies needed the scientists to use this same work to prepare for missions to scout beaches.
—Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
The group began recruiting at the shelter and rolled out a bilingual curriculum to help scouts learn more about New York City through its monuments, subway system, and political borders.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scout.' 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 scout
Cite this Entry
“Scout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scout. Accessed 15 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scout
1 of 3 verb1
: to go about and observe in search of information : reconnoiter
2
a
: to make a search
scout about for firewood
b
: to find by searching
scouted up the necessary supplies
scout
2 of 3 noun1
a
: one sent to obtain information and especially to survey in preparation for military action in war
b
: a person who searches for talented newcomers
a baseball scout
2
: the act or an instance of scouting : reconnaissance
3
4
: individual entry 2 sense 2, person
you're a good scout
Etymology
Verb
Middle English scouten "to explore an area for information," from early French escouter "to listen," from Latin auscultare "to listen"
Verb
of Scandinavian origin
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