verb
Etymology: burn (II) + out
transitive verb
1. : to destroy or obliterate by fire or heat
we found that we had burned out a bearing
2. : to drive out or destroy the property of by fire — usually passive
we were burnt out just before Christmas
the store was completely burnt out
3.
a. : to cause to fail, wear out, or become exhausted by making excessive demands on energy, strength, or resources
he will burn himself out unless he gets more sleep
b. : to spoil the condition of (livestock) especially for breeding by too rich feeding or overfeeding
intransitive verb
1. : to cease to be in a condition to perform a normal function by reason of usually prolonged exposure to fire or heat
the bulb in the kitchen light just burned out
the grate in the furnace is nearly burned out
2. : to fail, wear out, or become exhausted by reason of excessive demands on energy, strength, or resources
at this rate you'll burn out before you're 30
the best soil burns out under constant heavy cropping