shut down; shutting down; shuts down
: to settle so as to obscure vision : close in
the night shut down early
: to make ineffective in competition
shut down the opposition's offensive line
Examples of shutdown in a Sentence
Noun
the shutdown of the factory
the factory resumed operation after a brief shutdown for repairs
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
The shutdown at one of the world’s busiest travel hubs could affect more than 1,300 flights.
—Jade Walker, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
The resignation follows news Friday that the Department of Health and Human Services plans to lay off 10,000 workers and shut down entire agencies, including ones that oversee billions of dollars in funds for addiction services and community health centers across the country.
—Michael Casey and Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shutdown
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Noun
Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, has found himself under a microscope since voting to keep the government open rather than causing a shutdown.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
The shutdown at one of the world’s busiest travel hubs could affect more than 1,300 flights.
—Jade Walker, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
With declining enrollment and chronic staffing shortages, many centers are reducing hours or shutting down altogether.
—Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
The resignation follows news Friday that the Department of Health and Human Services plans to lay off 10,000 workers and shut down entire agencies, including ones that oversee billions of dollars in funds for addiction services and community health centers across the country.
—Michael Casey and Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shutdown
Cite this Entry
“Shutdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutdown. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shutdown
noun
shut·down
ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 
: an ending of an activity
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