Loot is valuable goods taken by force or stolen, especially during a war, riot, or robbery. When an army conquers a city, soldiers might carry off gold, jewels, and precious objects as loot. Pirates who raided ships called their stolen treasure loot. When stores are broken into during a riot, thieves loot them by grabbing merchandise and running.

The word suggests taking things that don't belong to you in a chaotic or violent situation. It's different from ordinary theft: looting usually happens when normal order has broken down, like during a natural disaster or conflict. Someone who steals during these times is called a looter.

In video games, loot has taken on a lighter meaning: the coins, weapons, or magical items you collect after defeating enemies or opening treasure chests. Gamers get excited about finding rare loot that makes their character stronger. This playful use of the word comes from the original meaning but without the real-world violence and theft.

Whether we're talking about historical plunder or game rewards, loot always means valuable stuff that someone acquires, though hopefully only in pretend adventures rather than in real life.