a contest or fight (especially between boxers or wrestlers)
"After years of training, the boxer was ready to face his toughest opponent in an eight-round bout."
A period of something, usually painful or unpleasant.
"After weeks of bad weather and low sales, the store is finally out of its difficult bout with a recession."
In plain English: A bout is a short period of time when someone experiences something intense, like an illness or a fit of anger.
"He spent several weeks in the hospital to recover from his bout with pneumonia."
Usage: Use bout to describe a temporary spell of illness, bad weather, or intense emotion rather than a permanent condition. It often pairs with words like fever, coughing fit, or rage to indicate a distinct episode that will eventually end.
To contest a bout.
"The boxer was eager to finally get back in the ring to contest a bout after his long injury layoff."
Aphetic form of about
"The old printer would occasionally spit out text that read as a bout instead of about due to its worn-out ribbon."
The word "bout" comes from Middle English forms meaning a bend or curve, which traces back to Old English roots for turning. It entered modern usage with this original physical sense before evolving to describe short periods of activity or illness.