Definition of "lookout"

lookout

/ˈlʊkaʊt/

noun
plural lookouts
1. A vantage point with a view of the surrounding area.
2. A session of watching for an approaching enemy, police, etc.
3. A person on watch for approaching enemy, police, danger, etc.
  Quotations
  A lack of lookouts was partially responsible for the deaths of two track workers at Margam East Junction in south Wales on July 3, according to an interim report published by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch on December 5. [...] "The absence of a lookout with no involvement in the work activity removed a vital safety barrier," says the report.
  2019 December 18, Andrew Roden, “Absence of lookouts contributed to Margam deaths”, in Rail, page 20
4. A subject for observation; a prospect or view.
  Quotations
  Looking, seeing: search or searching; Looking-for (B.), expectation; Lookout, a careful watching for: an elevated place from which to observe: one engaged in watching. And, you know, she OUGHT to keep enough to pay for her season-ticket; but no, she comes to me about that, and I have to find the money.""It's a poor lookout," said Mrs. Morel bitterly.
  1913, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter 6, in Sons and Lovers, London: Duckworth & Co. […]
5. One's perspective, outlook; hence, one's responsibility. (used with a possessive pronoun or a noun in a possessive form).
  Quotations
  "Strickland's painting in my studio.""Well?" […] "Strickland can't work with anyone else in the studio.""Damn it all, it's your studio. That's his lookout."
  1919, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, “chapter 27”, in The Moon and Sixpence, [New York, N.Y.]: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers […]
6. An observation window.
  Quotations
  Twenty-one of these vehicles were later converted into bogie brake vans for freight service. [...] The extreme width over the side lookouts is 9 ft.
  1941 February, Railway Magazine, page 75, untitled paragraph
7. (construction) A joist that extends in cantilever out from the exterior wall (or wall plate) of a building, supporting the roof sheathing and providing a nailing surface for the fascia boards.