readout

• read-out

Deverbal from read out.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹiːdaʊt/

readout (plural readouts)

1. A display, particularly one that presents numerical data.

   Her company retrofitted its manual machine tools with digital readouts.

2. The information, usually a measurement, shown on such a display.

   The density is measured by the readout from a hydrometer.

3. (computing) The information output from a computer in a readable form.

   The computer readout was inaccurate.

4. An account of the topics discussed in a meeting, especially in diplomatic or political contexts.

   Most of us first found out when we heard the readout from the summit meeting.

In computing contexts, because "read" is an input operation, the term "readout" is self-contradictory; nevertheless, the word has gained widespread currency, because of the clear analogy with a person reading out — that is, reading out loud to others (reciting) — from a text. When modishness is not desired, the simple term "display" is likely to be more appropriate.

• outarde, outdare, outread