washout

Other forms: washouts

Definitions of washout

1. noun

   the channel or break produced by erosion of relatively soft soil by water
   “it was several days after the storm before they could repair the washout and open the road”

   type of:

   channel, groove

   a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)
2. noun

   the erosive process of washing away soil or gravel by water (as from a roadway)
   “from the house they watched the washout of their newly seeded lawn by the water”

   synonyms: wash

   types:

   rain-wash

   the washing away of soil or other loose material by rain

   type of:

   soil erosion

   the washing away of soil by the flow of water
3. noun

   someone who is unsuccessful
   synonyms: clunker, dud, flop

   type of:

   failure, loser, nonstarter, unsuccessful person

   a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently