v.1. To begin a course of action: After hatching, the baby turtles struck out toward the ocean. After the band broke up, the lead singer struck out on her own. We struck out on a mission to find the lost treasure.
2. To make an attempt to hit someone: The suspect struck out at the police officer.
3. Baseball To pitch three strikes to some batter, putting the batter out: The pitcher struck out the batter to end the inning. The pitcher struck the batter out with two curve balls and a fastball.
4. Baseball To be put out at bat with three strikes: The batter struck out and returned to the dugout.
5. To fail in an endeavor: They struck out in their attempt to raise taxes. The network struck out with its new television show and canceled it after the third week. The car salesman struck out with his first five customers.
6. To eliminate or delete something from a document or record: The editor struck out the final paragraph and rewrote it. The lawyer struck a clause out of the contract.
7. To put some claim or action out of a court of law without further hearing: The court struck out the claim when the plaintiff failed to produce enough evidence. The judge found the accusation unclear, so she struck it out.