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
Synonyms
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
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
But over the last few years, she’s fallen into a rut of overly broad performances that nonetheless seem to attract the kinds of awards voters who like to be clubbed over the head with capital-P Performing.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
Erin Banco, Anastasiia Malenko, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
The mating, or rutting, season for deer in Connecticut runs from late October to mid-December, with the peak being the last two weeks in November, according to the Connecticut DEEP.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rut 
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Noun
But some indie studios seem wary of overpaying for movies that, while artistically stirring, lack commercial viability, particularly with the box office in a rut.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
But over the last few years, she’s fallen into a rut of overly broad performances that nonetheless seem to attract the kinds of awards voters who like to be clubbed over the head with capital-P Performing.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
It’s been months since the Ukrainian battalion stationed on the frosty, rutted frontline has received a new armored personnel carrier to take men forward, supply munitions and evacuate the wounded.
—Erin Banco, Anastasiia Malenko, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
The mating, or rutting, season for deer in Connecticut runs from late October to mid-December, with the peak being the last two weeks in November, according to the Connecticut DEEP.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rut
Dictionary Entries Near rut
Cite this Entry
“Rut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rut. Accessed 8 Feb. 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
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