logout

logout — noun

1. the action of ending your connection to a website, app, or computer system by pr

1.nounB1
Definition

the action of ending your connection to a website, app, or computer system by pressing a button or choosing an option from a menu.

Example

After finishing her tasks, Aoi clicked the logout button on the shared office computer.

collocation: logout button

The school network forces an automatic logout at 9 p.m. for all student accounts.

passive: forces a logout

Common collocations
  • perform a logout
  • force a logout
  • automatic logout
  • logout button
  • logout page
  • logout screen
  • logout confirmation
  • click logout
Synonyms
  • sign-out

    more common on websites and apps; 'logout' is slightly more technical or system-oriented

  • disconnection

    broader — can refer to loss of internet or power, not only intentional user action

Antonyms
  • login

    the opposite action of entering a system

  • logon

    alternative term for login, common in corporate IT systems

Grammar Patterns

perform a logout

force a logout

automatic logout

Usage Note

The noun 'logout' is often written as a single word or with a hyphen ('log-out'). The corresponding verb form is two words: 'log out'. Common in computing contexts such as websites, apps, and network systems.

Common Mistakes

You should logout before leaving the computer.
You should log out before leaving the computer.
The verb form is two separate words ('log out'); 'logout' is a noun.
Make a logout from the system.
Perform a logout from the system.
'Make' is unnatural; use 'perform' or 'do' with the noun.

Word family

  • log out
    phrasal verbB1
  • log in
    phrasal verbA2
  • login
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Logout' and 'sign-out' are the most common terms for ending access to a computer system or online account. 'Logout' feels slightly more technical and is the standard term in operating systems and IT documentation, while 'sign-out' is more common on consumer websites, social media platforms, and mobile apps. 'Logoff' is an older term from mainframe and Windows-style systems, still used in corporate IT settings but less frequent in everyday language. 'Disconnection' is much broader — it can refer to an accidental or forced loss of connection (e.g., a dropped internet link), not just a user's intentional action. For example, a help-desk notice might say 'perform a logout before restarting', whereas a website might say 'click here to sign out', and your phone might show 'network disconnection' when you walk out of range.

logout ↗sign-outdisconnectionlogoff

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • automatic logout
  • forced logout
  • logout session

Prepositions

Etymology

English (nautical)English (computing)

'Logout' comes from the verb phrase 'log out', which was formed in the 1960s as computing grew. 'Log' refers to a record book (from the ship's log, where crew recorded daily events). Early computer users had to 'log in' by entering their name in a system record, just like signing a ship's logbook, and 'log out' was the action of marking the end of their session. The noun form 'logout' emerged later as computing became part of everyday life.