shootout

Shootout is a term used to describe a confrontation in which at least two sides exchange gunfire. It usually refers to a close-range exchange of firearms and can occur in criminal, military, or law enforcement contexts, as well as in sports terminology where the term is used metaphorically. Historically, shootouts are associated with gunfights in the American Old West, such as the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, 1881, though similar clashes have occurred worldwide. In criminal and law enforcement settings, shootouts can be dangerous for civilians and participants and are often subject to investigation and changes in policy aimed at preventing harm; tactics emphasize containment, cover, and de-escalation when possible.

In sports, shootouts are mechanisms to decide a winner when a match ends tied. In football (soccer), a penalty shootout determines the result in knockout rounds after extra time. In ice hockey and some other sports, a shootout involves an individual or team attempting to score against the goalie after overtime, with rounds until a winner is declared. Some sports also use other forms, like sudden-death overtime, but the term is widely recognized in these contexts.

In popular culture, shootout is used as a title or descriptor for dramatic confrontations in film, television, and literature.