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
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
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The only person who can get you out of this rut is you.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025
The 17-mile loop road through Monument Valley is unpaved, rutted and sandy.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2025
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
The next time you’re stuck in a career rut, or wondering how to process the economy around you, why not ask Ray Dalio?
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The only person who can get you out of this rut is you.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
Workers will repair bumps in the roadway caused by settling and rutting at the beginning and end of the bridge, the department said.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025
The 17-mile loop road through Monument Valley is unpaved, rutted and sandy.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rut
Cite this Entry
“Rut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rut. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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