1. verb To buy someone's shares or other financial interests in a company or joint venture, thus releasing them from it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "buy" and "out." Because I bought out my sister, I now get all of the profit from the store.

2. verb To pay someone an agreed-upon amount in exchange for their premature release from a contract. A noun or pronoun can be used between "buy" and "out." When no other teams were interested in trading for that player, we decided to buy him out.

3. verb To purchase something as its sole owner. A noun or pronoun can be used between "buy" and "out." I've always loved that little music club, so I bought it out when the owner was ready to pursue other ventures. If they buy out our little company, will they jettison our staff?

4. verb To purchase all of a particular item or thing that is available. A noun or pronoun can be used between "buy" and "out." That toy is so popular that it's been bought out all over town! We need as many balloons for the party as we can get, so just buy them out at the store.

5. noun The act of paying one an agreed-upon amount in exchange for one's premature release from a contract. In this usage, the phrase is often written as one word ("buyout"). When no other teams were interested in trading for that player, we decided to offer him a buyout.