rut

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrət

: 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

: the period of time during which rut occurs : breeding season

rut

2 of 4

verb (1)

rutted; rutting

intransitive verb

: to be in or enter into a state of rut

rut

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a track worn by a wheel or by habitual passage

: a groove in which something runs

: channel, furrow

: a usual or fixed practice

especially : a monotonous routine

fall easily into a conversational rut

rut

4 of 4

verb (2)

rutted; rutting

transitive verb

: to make a rut in : furrow

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

Noun

Across the water, Europe’s biggest economy Germany has been stuck in a rut, while the continent’s workers have faced accusations of simply not being ambitious enough to keep up with their U.S. peers. —

Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 15 May 2024 The vital Sun then conjoins explosive Uranus at 5:14 am EDT, forcefully launching us out of our ruts. —

Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for rut

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English rutte, from Middle French ruit rut, disturbance, from Late Latin rugitus roar, from Latin rugire to roar; akin to Middle Irish rucht roar, Old Church Slavonic rŭžati to neigh

Noun (2)

perhaps modification of Middle French route way, route

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1600, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of rut was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rut. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

rut

1 of 4 noun

ˈrət

: a track worn by a wheel or by frequent passage

: a usual or fixed routine

I need a change—I'm getting in a rut

rutty

ˈrət-ē

adjective

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 noun

ˈrət

: 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

: 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

Last Updated: 26 May 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

obstreperous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

rut

noun (1)

verb (1)

noun (2)

verb (2)

Synonyms

Examples of rut in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near rut

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition