shutdown

1 of 2

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 

: the cessation or suspension of an operation or activity

shut down

2 of 2

verb

shut down; shutting down; shuts down

intransitive verb

: to settle so as to obscure vision : close in

the night shut down early

transitive verb

: to make ineffective in competition

shut down the opposition's offensive line

Synonyms

Noun

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

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

Noun

And Trump has spoken glowingly about House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., despite repeatedly disagreeing over how to approach looming government shutdowns over the last year. —Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024

The idea took hold during the Covid shutdown, when all the ingredients at the bar Ketumarn was managing would otherwise have gone to waste. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024

Verb

But it has not been shut down or hampered by government action even under Biden, and the new Trump administration likely also won’t take any action against it. —Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Two weeks ago, Frisch's also shut down two other locations: at 1330 Columbus Ave. —Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1779, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

shutdown

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 

: an ending of an activity