1. A reduction of directly competing people, businesses, products, etc., in a given field, market, or industry. Hundreds of business sprang up during the massive dotcom boom at the start of the century, and the shakeout caused by the bust a few years later caused just as many to close up shop. Revelations of corruption and abuse has led to a huge shakeout among the top producers and actors in the film industry.

2. A sudden selling-off of financial investments, often at a loss, due to uncertainty around or a loss of faith in a particular industry or security. Despite the continuing growth of the economy, many investment analysts are warning that a major shakeout could be on the horizon. The CEO promised that the recent shakeout was nothing more than the stock prices correcting after experiencing such a huge surge over the last 12 months.