1
: something (such as a valve) that shuts off
2
shut off; shutting off; shuts off
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
: to cease operating : stop
shuts off automatically
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
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Even before the pandemic…These seizures have already led to evictions and utility shutoffs.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Washington legislation states that if a drinking water fixture had a concentration of lead at 15 ppb or higher, the system must be shut off immediately, but at 5 ppb, the state department of health advises Americans not to drink the water where possible.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Walmart has sherpa heated blankets with a two to 10-hour auto-shutoff to prevent overheating.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Even before the pandemic…These seizures have already led to evictions and utility shutoffs.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Set a timer between one and 12 hours and the warmer will automatically shut off.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Washington legislation states that if a drinking water fixture had a concentration of lead at 15 ppb or higher, the system must be shut off immediately, but at 5 ppb, the state department of health advises Americans not to drink the water where possible.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
Cite this Entry
“Shutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutoff. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 verbˌshət-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
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