1. a major reorganization or elimination of weaker elements in a business or industry
Usage: business; economics
2. a thorough search or inspection, especially to remove unwanted items
Usage: informal

Examples

• The tech industry experienced several shakeouts during the economic downturn.
• Many small companies didn’t survive the market shakeouts of the 1990s.
• The airline industry went through major shakeouts after deregulation.
• Police conducted shakeouts of suspected drug houses in the neighborhood.
• The military performed routine shakeouts of the barracks.
• Industry shakeouts often lead to stronger, more efficient companies.