noun
rut
A groove worn by repeated passage.
Repeated wagon trips wear deep ruts into the dirt road.
Etymology
Probably an alteration of route or an associated track-word. Its exact origin is uncertain; rut for animal mating has a different history.
More examples
- Rainwater collects in the ruts along the driveway.
- The bicycle tire gets stuck in a deep rut.
- Years of foot traffic have worn a rut through the meadow.
Forms
rut · ruts
rutted adjective — Marked by grooves from repeated passage.