shutoff

1 of 2

noun

shut·​off ˈshət-ˌȯf 

1

: something (such as a valve) that shuts off

2

: stoppage, interruption

shut off

2 of 2

verb

shut off; shutting off; shuts off

transitive verb

1

: to close off : separate

—usually used with from

shut off from the rest of the world

2

a

: to cut off (a flow or passage) : stop

shuts off the oxygen supply

b

: to stop the operation of (something, such as a machine)

shut the motor off

intransitive verb

: to cease operating : stop

shuts off automatically

Synonyms

Noun

• arrest
• arrestment
• cease
• cessation
• check
• close
• closedown
• closure
• conclusion
• cutoff
• discontinuance
• discontinuation
• end
• ending
• expiration
• finish
• halt
• lapse
• offset
• shutdown
• stay
• stop
• stoppage
• surcease
• termination

Verb

• break
• break off
• break up
• can [slang]
• cease
• cut off
• cut out
• desist (from)
• discontinue
• drop
• end
• give over
• halt
• knock off
• lay off
• leave off
• pack (up or in)
• quit
• stop

Examples of shutoff in a Sentence

Noun

the utility company threatened them with the shutoff of electricity if the bills weren't paid

Verb

threatened to shut off peace talks if the other side kept making unreasonable demands

shut off the computer to save electricity

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Another 68,000 utility customers could potentially be affected by the shutoffs, depending on the intensity of the winds. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025

The shutoffs can last for hours and even for multiple days, in some cases. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

The next year, a major fire ripped through Malibu, destroying hundreds of homes and later, when the El Nino storms arrived, resulted in mudslides that shut off major coastal routes for months. —Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025

Public safety power shutoffs refer to planned outages that take place when utilities such as San Diego Gas & Electric preemptively shut off power supply to some lines to prevent wildfires from sparking. —Gary Robbins, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

shutoff

1 of 2 noun

shut·​off ˈshət-ˌȯf 

1

: something that shuts off

2

: an instance of shutting off : interruption, stoppage

shut off

2 of 2 verb

ˌshət-ˈȯf

1

: to stop the flow of

shut off the water

2

a

: to stop the operation of

shut the motor off

b

: to cease operating

the light shuts off automatically

3

: to make or keep separate

shut off from the rest of the world