Dictionary definition · washout
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"
- 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"
- someone who is unsuccessful
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).